SILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico (13-11, 7-6 Lone Star) lost to UT Dallas (12-9, 8-4 Lone Star) 3-1 on Thursday. Western New Mexico rallied from a 6-2 deficit to an 8-6 lead in the opening set and won it 25-17, but dropped the next three 20-25, 18-25 and 13-25.
Western New Mexico posted 10 total blocks compared with six for UT Dallas, but UT Dallas held advantages in digs, aces and hitting percentage. Western New Mexico also committed 13 service errors to UT Dallas' five, while its strongest in-match stretch came on a 6-0 run that erased a four-point deficit and put Western New Mexico ahead in set 1.
Western New Mexico answered an early 6-2 deficit with six straight points, with Savanna Haefs (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista High School) serving the final five and Jade Rampton (Nelson, New Zealand/Shanghai American School) contributing three kills and a block assist in the surge to an 8-6 lead. Western New Mexico later pushed an 18-14 edge to 22-14 during another Haefs service stretch, including her ace, and closed the set 25-17 on an Ava Frezza kill from Haefs.
Western New Mexico could not overcome UT Dallas' middle-set separation, but it cut a 22-14 deficit to 22-18 with kills by Frezza and Daphne Posthumus (Lelystad, Netherlands/CCNV Harderwijk (Netherlands)), a UT Dallas bad set and a Posthumus block. Earlier, Western New Mexico led 5-3 behind kills from McKenna Alvarez-Mittelsted (Katy, TX/Cinco Ranch HS) and Rampton, but UT Dallas moved ahead and finished off the set, 25-20.
Western New Mexico was within 19-16 after a Posthumus block, but UT Dallas scored the next five points, including consecutive service aces, to reach 24-16. Posthumus and Rampton added late kills for Western New Mexico before UT Dallas closed the third set, 25-18.
Western New Mexico started the fourth set with a 5-1 lead behind Posthumus, who had two early kills, a block and a service ace. UT Dallas answered to tie the set at 7-7, and after Western New Mexico stayed within 14-12, the visitors scored seven straight points to take control. Western New Mexico got a late kill from Hailey Meeks, but UT Dallas closed the set 25-13.
Rampton led Western New Mexico with 18 points, finishing with 14 kills while hitting .370 and adding four solo blocks. Posthumus added nine kills, nine digs, four solo blocks and a service ace. Haefs finished with 23 assists and two aces. Mikelle McAfee (Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union High School.) collected a team-high 12 digs.
Western New Mexico is 13-11 overall and 7-6 in Lone Star play.
Up next, Western New Mexico volleyball team hosts UT Tyler on Saturday, Oct. 24, at noon at Drag's Court in Silver City, New Mexico.
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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).
