Tyler, TX – The University of the Southwest Volleyball hit the road this weekend to take on the Steers of Texas College (0-13, 0-10 RRAC) in RRAC conference play. The Lady Mustangs (5-14, 5-7 RRAC) were looking to get a couple of matches added to the win column. 
 
Game 1
USW started set one with a 7-3 run against the Steers, allowing them to set the tone and get out ahead early. They would cap the first set of the match with a 9-0 run aided by several aces, propelling the Lady Mustangs to a decisive 25-10 victory.
 
The Lady Mustangs continued to pour on the pressure in the second set as they started on an impressive 16-3 run to put them up big. Texas College answered with six straight points to make the store 16-9, only for it to be answered by a 5-0 run by USW. Some back and forth the rest of the match ended with the Lady Mustangs taking it 25-17 and providing a 2-0 lead in the match. 
 
Set three proved to be a much tighter one, with the Steers staying side by side with USW. The Lady Mustangs broke away a bit to make it a 16-11 match, but Texas College battled back to only be down 23-22. Fortunately, the Lady Mustangs were able to wrap it up, with the final two points coming courtesy of Senior Valeria Trevino. 
 
Game 2
Set one had each team answer one short run with another early, and Texas College jumped to a 5-3 lead. The Lady Mustangs put together quite a rally with five aces from Graduate Student Autumn Lopez, putting them up 13-5. They were able to stay out in front, even after a Steer rally to make the score 16-14 a little over halfway through. A couple of runs from USW were able to put it out of reach and make them a set one winner, 25-18.
 
USW was in total control in set two and began with an incredible 16-1 run to make it all but wrapped up. The dominance continued as they took set two 25-3 and were now one set away from a weekend series sweep. 
 
Another early rally in set three saw the Lady Mustangs up 8-3 on Texas College. The Steers were able to score four of the following five points to pull the set much tighter than what it was like in the second. Both teams matched points until Texas College went on a short run to tie the set at 13-13. USW would not let that go without answering with a four-point run of their own. Even after another short Texas College run late, the USW offensive charge proved to be too much as they took the final set 25-20. 
 
Senior Gabriela Tapia had an impressive series as she tallied forty-nine assists to go along with eight aces. Senior Alexia Esparza did her thing with twenty-five total kills and maintained a hitting average of over .300 in both matches. 
 
"It was a good weekend for us to explore different lineups and allow ourselves to try new things and earn some reps," said Coach Cass Smith. "We need to maintain discipline and transfer that energy through the rest of the season as we look toward the conference tournament.

USW Volleyball will travel to Pan Handle State University on October 19^th for their final non-conference matchup this season before returning home for Senior Weekend against Louisiana Christian University on October 21^st and 22^nd. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Volleyball on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.