Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Silver City, NM – Friday was the second round of matches for the Western New Mexico University volleyball at the Green Chile Classic. The team hosted Fort Lewis College in the first match and Cal State East Bay University in second match at Drag's Court. After three sets, the Mustangs were swept by the Skyhawks. In game two the Mustangs played four hard set but would eventually lose to the Pioneers.

Junior Jazmyne Walker (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy HS) (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy High School) led the Mustangs' offensive attack with 14 kills and a .458 hitting percentage against the Skyhawks. Veteran Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) was spreading the ball around the floor as she totaled 14 assists. Freshman Peyton Castillo (Las Vegas, NV/Sierra Vista HS) (Las Vegas, NV/Sierra Vista High School) followed the veteran Culp with 11 assists.

The Mustang defense was under attack all night against the Skyhawks as sophomore Vianey Lopez Marrufo (El Paso, TX/Del Valle HS) (El Paso, TX/Del Valle High School) recorded seven digs. Senior Madison Gardener (Oak Hills, CA/Oak Hills High School) was a force at the net, recording two blocks on the night.

The Mustangs started set one by quickly going down 10-4. After settling in the Mustangs pulled with in four of the Skyhawks, 13-9. Then momentum shifted and the Skyhawks walked away with set one 25-17.

Set two started with the Mustangs jumping out to an early 7-5 lead before the Skyhawks began to heat up. The Skyhawks quickly built up their lead and never gave it back as they defeated the Mustangs 25-21.

In set three, the Mustangs and the Skyhawks went in a back-and-forth battle. After an 8-8 score the Skyhawks put a beat down on the Mustang, defeating them 25-13.

In game two Lopez Marrufo (El Paso, TX/Del Valle High School) led the attack with 11 kills for the Mustangs and a .381 hitting percentage. Castillo (Las Vegas, NV/Sierra Vista High School) was setting up her hitters up throughout the match as she finished with 19 assists. Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) followed Castillo with 17 assists.
The Mustang defense was running all over the floor tonight, as Walker (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy High School) led the charge with 12 digs. Sophomore Janey Cortez (El Paso, TX/East Lake HS) (El Paso, TX/East Lake High School) followed with eight digs.

In set one against the Pioneers, the Mustangs jumped out to a quick 11-9 lead. The Pioneers responded by scoring eight of the next nine points taking a 17-12 lead. The Mustangs would ultimately drop the set losing 25-21.

Set two was back and forth between the Mustangs and Pioneers. Neither team was able to gain more than a three-point advantage. But the Mustangs dug deep into their bag of tricks and pulled out an exhilarating 25-23 win.

The third set started in a deadlock as both teams were tied 14-14, before the Pioneers went on a 6-0 run to open up a 20-14 lead on the Mustangs. That lead became insurmountable as the Mustangs dropped set three 25-19.

In set four the Mustangs and Pioneers would continue trading blows with both teams tied 10-10 at the double-digit mark. Then the Pioneer offense picked up and opened up a resounding 21-13 lead. The Mustangs would eventually faulter and drop the set 25-18, losing the match 3-1.

The Mustangs will be in action at Drag's Court against Holy Names (6:00PM MT) on Saturday August 27^th to close out the Green Chile Classic.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!     

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 Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram).