The University of the Southwest Volleyball Team headed to San Antonio on Friday to take part in the RRAC Volleyball Championship. The conference tournament consisted of six teams with the top two getting a bye in the opening round and seeds three through six playing in the opening round. USW received the fourth seed in the tournament after going (7-5) in conference play throughout the year. They were matched up with the fifth-seeded Wiley Wildcats who were (5-7) in RRAC play during the regular season. 
 
The two teams had squared off two weeks earlier with Wiley getting the better of the Mustangs in a home contest for Wiley. The Mustangs were hoping to reverse the role on a neutral court and with a chance to move onto the semi-finals on the line. Every set was tightly contested but the Wildcats were able to make a few more plays than the Mustangs and were able to come away with a 3-0 victory on set scores of 25-20,25-22, and 25-23. Fesili Masaniai led the Mustangs in kills with eight and a hitting percentage of .353. Alissa Mancera and Evelis Vicenty were setting up their teammates and came away with 11 and 10 assists respectively. Autumn Lopez again led the Mustangs in digs with 21 in the contest.
 
After the contest Coach, Cass Smith said "Regardless of our finish, we had a successful season; one that I am most certainly proud of. I have the privilege of coaching a very special group of diverse young women who make it all worthwhile. It has been a very long and adverse season which we handled gracefully with integrity. Now that they know what they are capable of, the only competition next season is themselves. Us vs. us."
 
The Mustangs will be returning most of their team next year and will likely make some additions to the group as well. The two Mustangs that they will be losing to graduation are Kennedy McRuffin and Evelis Vicenty. McRuffin was a transfer from New Mexico Junior College and played two seasons for the Mustangs. In those two years, she was named to the RRAC Honorable Mention team twice and was the conference newcomer of the year in the 2020-2021 season. She played in 25 matches and 87 sets this year while registering 11 kills, 15 assists, 28 service aces, and 198 digs. Evelis Vicenty was a transfer from Bryant & Stratton College and played the last two seasons for the Mustangs. This year she played in 17 matches and 34 sets while recording 94 assists, 14 service aces, and 25 digs. Both of them will be missed going into next season. 
 
About her seniors, Coach Smith said "Our seniors fought through the season and can walk away from their careers with their heads held high, wouldn't change a single thing about the way they played Friday. They fought to the very end. Sorry we couldn't get the ring for them but they have definitely left a legacy for us to do so in the future." 
 
The Mustangs will be returning most of the players from their team this year to next year's team and when asked about some of those returners Coach Smith had this to say "We have Autumn Lopez, our starting Libero, coming back next season and I know she will be the one to watch. Alexia Esparza will be in her senior season and I have high expectations for her, she really took on the leadership role for us this year. Fesili Masaniai found her rhythm and I can't wait to see her progress and show out next Fall. Alissa Mancera will be returning as well, her IQ and presence really set the tone for us and I'm excited to see her excel."
 
After wrapping up her first season as head coach, Coach Smith gave some closing thoughts on this year and looking forward to next year. She stated "For my first season as Head Coach, it was an honor to lead this team and now that we have had our taste we want the whole meal.  We will be back in the Conference tournament next year, we're going for the ring. I'd like to thank my Assistant Rubi Borjas for going above and beyond for this team, could not have done this without her. And thank you to the family, friends, and fans for their continued support. 2022, we're holding that banner." 
 
That will conclude a fun and eventful campaign for Mustangs volleyball and we are excited to see where Coach Smith can lead this program!