Silver City, N.M. – The Western New Mexico volleyball team was in action on Friday September 16^th against Texas A&M International University at Drag's Court. The Mustangs would lose a hard-fought battle to the Dustdevils in five sets.

Junior Jazmyne Walker (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy HS) led the Mustang offense tonight as she totaled 17 kills. Senior Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) recorded another 20-assist game tonight. Freshman Peyton Castillo (Las Vegas, NV/Sierra Vista HS) followed Culp's lead with 16 assists of her own. Castillo also was the "Mustang Wall" on defense tonight as she led the team with three blocks.

Sophomore Vianey Lopez Marrufo (El Paso, TX/Del Valle HS) was the focal point of the Mustang defense as she finished with 24 digs. Sophomore Janey Cortez (El Paso, TX/East Lake HS) paced behind Marrufo with 16 digs of her own.

In set one the Mustangs would be able to build off of the energy in Drag's Court and roll out to an early 13-9 lead on the Dustdevils. The Mustangs would take set one 25-19. Mustangs 1, Dustdevils 0.

Set two was a different story for the Mustangs, as the Dustdevils would jump out to an early 11-7 lead. The Dustdevils would 11 straight point before the Mustangs could grab another point. Ultimately the Dustdevils would defeat the Mustangs 25-9 in set two. Mustangs 1, Dustdevils 1.

The Dustdevils would take and early lead 8-4 lead on the Mustangs to begin set three. The Mustangs would keep pace with the Dustdevils but would lose the set 25-18. Dustdevils 2. Mustangs 1.

In set four the Mustangs would blaze out to a 10-6 lead on the Dustdevils before a Dustdevils timeout.  The Dustdevils would be able to tie things at 16s, but that would jolt the Mustangs' offense. The Mustangs would win set four 25-20. Mustangs 2, Dustdevils 2.

Set five, the final and decisive set. The Dustdevils would jump out to an early 7-3 lead on the Mustangs. The Mustangs would not be able to find their groove and they would drop the set 15-8, losing the match 3-2.

The Mustangs will be back in action Saturday September 17^th against Texas A&M Kingsville (12:00PM MT) at Drag's Court.

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).