Western New Mexico University Athletics

DALLAS, T.X. — Western NM lost its match to DBU 3-0 on Saturday. Western NM was held to a .143 hitting percentage and 31 kills, while DBU finished at .237 with 36 kills and 12 total blocks.

Western NM stayed within reach late in the opening set, getting a Jayden Hughes (High Rolls, NM/Cloudcroft High School) kill and a Mikelle McAfee (Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union High School.) service ace to move from 20-23 to 22-23 before DBU closed out a 25-23 set. Earlier, Western NM led 11-10 on a Daphne Posthumus (Lelystad, Netherlands/CCNV Harderwijk (Netherlands)) kill, but DBU scored the next five points to move in front 15-11.

In the second set, Western NM was within 11-8 after a Hughes kill from Hannah Haggard (Tucson, AZ/Tanque Verde High School), but DBU scored the next six points to create the key separation. Earlier, Western NM opened with a Hughes kill from Savanna Haefs (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista High School) and a Jayla McDuffie ace for a 2-0 lead. DBU finished the set 25-13.

In the third set, Western NM made its main move late, answering a 23-14 deficit with six straight points. Haefs started the run with a kill, and Brynlee Barris then served five straight points as Isabella Brewer and Jade Rampton (Nelson, New Zealand/Shanghai American School) added kills before Posthumus and Rampton combined on a block. DBU scored the final two points to close out the set 25-20.

Hughes led Western NM with nine kills and added three digs. Haefs finished with 14 assists, six digs and a service ace. Brewer recorded seven kills, five digs and one ace. Jayla McDuffie served two aces and matched the team lead with seven digs.

Western New Mexico is 6-5 overall.

Up next, Western New Mexico volleyball team hosts Midwestern State on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Drag's Court in Silver City, NM.