The University of the Southwest Volleyball Team wrapped up their regular season over the weekend with two home conference matchups. They took on Huston-Tillotson University in the first match of the day, had a short break, and then took on Our Lady of the Lake University. The matches were part of the senior day for the volleyball team where the seniors were honored before the first game. The Mustangs had a spot in the conference tournament wrapped up heading into the day but were playing for seeding. 
 
In the first match against HT, the Mustangs were never able to hit their stride, dropping the match 3-0. The set scores were all tight dropping them 24-26, 21-25, and 21-25. They looked to rebound against OLLU, who entered at the top of the West Division of the RRAC, but were unable to take down the Saints. They dropped the match 3-1 by set scores of 20-25, 25-18, 12-25, and 16-25. The two losses dropped the Mustangs to (7-5) in conference play and left them with the number four seed in the conference tournament.
 
Following the two matches, Head Coach Cass Smith said "It was a very exciting senior day and unfortunately we just didn't execute.  There was a lot of good volleyball played and our issue moving towards the tournament is our consistency and knowing that we are a top team within the conference; we just have to act like it. We are very excited for this upcoming weekend and can't wait to show out." When asked about key players for the two matches Coach Smith said "Autumn Lopez was an absolute beast on defense for us; she played with high IQ and confidence and really sets the tone for our defense; solidifying her spot as the number 1 defender in the RRAC. Her partner in the back Kennedy McRuffin was close to perfect on serve receive and clinched her position as #1 in our conference for service aces. Alexia Esparza was a true full rotation player, her attacks literally had the opponents ducking for cover and nothing hit the floor with her on defense earning 18 digs vs OLLU." Lopez's performance on the day was good enough to earn her RRAC Volleyball Defender of the Week Honors.
 
The Mustangs have had some impressive individual performers all season long. Junior Alexia Esparza is second in the conference in kills with 258 on the year and number one in points with 293. Autumn Lopez has the most conference digs of anyone in the RRAC with 214 and has 349 in total. Gabriela Tapia is number one in the conference with 0.51 Service Aces per set. Alissa Mancera is fifth in the conference in assists with 347. As Coach Smith mentioned, McRuffin is number one in the conference in service aces in conference games with 24. As a team, the Mustangs are first in the conference in Service Aces overall with 212, and first in conference games with 122. They are second in digs in conference games with 652. 
 
The Mustangs will now turn their attention to the RRAC Volleyball Championship where they were able to make it to the championship match a year ago. They will take on the fifth-seeded Wiley Wildcats on Friday, November 12^th in the first round of the tournament. All tournament games will take place on the campus of Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.