AUSTIN, TX — Western New Mexico University fell to St. Edward's University in a four-set match, losing 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23, at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Mustangs recorded 11 total blocks in the contest.

The match opened with St. Edward's taking an early lead, but WNMU quickly responded with a kill from Daphne Posthumus (Lelystad, Netherlands/CCNV Harderwijk (Netherlands)) assisted by Kiara McDuffie (Aubrey, TX/Braswell High School), leveling the score at 1-1. Jade Rampton (Nelson, New Zealand/Shanghai American School) contributed significantly for the Mustangs, securing multiple kills, including one at 7-11, as the visitors attempted to close the gap. Despite a late push from WNMU, including a block by Hailey Meeks and Brynlee Barris to narrow the score to 11-13, St. Edward's maintained their momentum and clinched the first set with a 25-15 victory.

WNMU capitalized on a series of errors by St. Edward's to seize momentum in the second set. A run fueled by key plays from Jayden Hughes (High Rolls, NM/Cloudcroft High School) and Barris allowed the Mustangs to turn a deficit into a significant lead, stretching the score to 8-4. Despite St. Edward's efforts to close the gap, WNMU maintained composure, with Kaitlyn Salgado contributing crucial kills to keep the lead. The set concluded with WNMU securing a 25-23 victory, aided by a final error from Addy Badley.

Western NM faced an early challenge as St. Edward's took a 3-0 lead in the third set, highlighted by a service ace and a kill from Mia Clay. The Mustangs responded with a kill by Posthumus, assisted by Hannah Haggard (Tucson, AZ/Tanque Verde High School), to get on the scoreboard. A service ace by McDuffie narrowed the gap to 6-4, but St. Edward's maintained their advantage.

WNMU briefly rallied with a service ace from Hughes, bringing the score to 14-13. However, St. Edward's regained momentum with multiple kills from Clay, extending their lead. Despite efforts from the Mustangs, including a kill by Posthumus, St. Edward's closed out the set 25-16, securing the match victory.

The Mustangs mounted a strong challenge in the fourth set, closing in on St. Edward's with a late surge. Barris and Posthumus played key roles in narrowing the gap, with Barris scoring multiple kills and contributing crucial blocks alongside Ava Frezza. Despite their efforts and a resilient defensive stand, WNMU was unable to overcome the early deficit and fell short, concluding the set at 25-23 in favor of St. Edward's. The game ended with this set, marking a narrow defeat for the Mustangs.

Western NM started strong but faced a challenging first set against St. Edward's, ultimately falling 25-15. The set opened with a block attributed to Badley and Grace McDonald, putting St. Edward's on the board first. Posthumus responded with a kill for the Mustangs to tie the score, but St. Edward's slowly pulled away. Clay proved instrumental for the Hilltoppers, contributing four kills during the set, including consecutive points that shifted the momentum to a 5-9 lead. Despite efforts from Rampton, who registered multiple kills, and a block by Meeks and Barris, WNMU struggled to close the gap. St. Edward's sealed the set with a kill by Delaney Gregory, assisted by Althea Morris.

Western NM secured the second set against St. Edward's with a 25-23 victory. The set began with an early exchange of points, but the Mustangs built momentum with a series of kills from Hughes and Barris, establishing an 8-4 lead. St. Edward's responded with a series of successful plays, including a service ace by Morris, narrowing the gap to 13-12. The teams continued to trade points, reaching a 21-21 deadlock. However, crucial kills by Salgado and Posthumus, combined with a final attack error by Badley, sealed the set for WNMU.

St. Edward's surged to an early lead in the third set, propelled by a pair of service aces and a kill from Morris, establishing a 3-0 advantage. WNMU responded with a kill from Posthumus, but St. Edward's continued to apply pressure, extending their lead to 6-1 with another ace by Brenna Heffron. The Mustangs trimmed the deficit to 6-4 following a service ace by McDuffie and a kill from Rampton. However, St. Edward's regained momentum, with Clay contributing crucial kills, increasing their lead to 12-9. Despite efforts by WNMU, including a block by Hughes, St. Edward's maintained control, closing the set with a 25-16 victory after a decisive kill from Badley.

St. Edward's secured a 25-23 victory in the fourth set against WNMU with critical plays in the closing moments. The set began with St. Edward's taking an early lead, capitalizing on attack errors from Mustang players, including two consecutive blocks against Rampton that extended the home team's advantage to 6-2. The Mustangs fought back, narrowing the gap to 18-17, thanks in part to a series of blocks from Hannah Del Rio (Vacaville, CA/Will C. Wood High School) and Posthumus. However, St. Edward's Clay and Badley delivered decisive kills, maintaining their lead. Barris kept WNMU in contention with a late kill, but Badley's final kill, assisted by Morris, sealed the set for the Hilltoppers.

Barris led the team with 12 kills and contributed five block assists for a total of 15.5 points. Posthumus added 10 kills and tallied five total blocks, including one solo block. Mikelle McAfee (Casa Grande, AZ) was strong defensively, recording 20 digs throughout the match. McDuffie facilitated the offense with 15 assists and added a service ace.

Clay led St. Edward's with 21 kills on 50 attempts, resulting in a .340 hitting percentage and contributing 22.0 points. Morris was pivotal in setting, dishing out 42 assists over four games while serving three aces. McDonald was a force at the net, recording seven total blocks. Badley also made an impact defensively, tallying five block assists. Meanwhile, Giselle Ojeda anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs.

Western NM holds a 12-17 overall record with a 6-11 mark in the Lone Star Conference. St. Edward's stands at 11-11 overall and 8-9 in Lone Star Conference play.
 

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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 (X, TikTok & Instagram).