Hobbs, NM – The University of the Southwest Volleyball team hosted the Huston-Tillotson University Rams in an RRAC matchup this weekend at the Jack & Mabel Maddox Student Life Center. The Lady Mustangs came off a series sweep in their last conference matchup against Paul Quinn College one week ago. 
 
Game 1
The start of set one went back and forth for the first twenty points until Huston-Tillotson went on a run that made it 17-11. The Lady Mustangs hung tight, but the Rams were able to create some separation and ultimately run away with set one, 25-19. 
 
The two teams continued to be evenly matched during the second set, with neither showing much letup. The Lady Mustangs decided to go on a run of their own, putting themselves up 19-12 at one point. They continued that dominance, only losing two more points that set and winning it 25-14. 
 
With the match tied at 1-1, USW looked to get ahead of their opponent in the third set. The Rams went out in front with an 11-9 lead to start, but the Lady Mustangs answered with a 10-2 run to put the score at 19-13 in their favor. USW was able to hold off Huston-Tillotson and win the third set 25-18, putting them up 2-1 in the match.
 
Another back-and-forth affair in the fourth set, where each team matched another point for point. USW looked for the opportunity to finish their opponent and found it about halfway through. They went on an 8-3 run to create a strong lead at 18-12. The Lady Mustangs added another run late in the set to take it 25-17. 
 
Senior Valeria Trevino led USW with eleven kills and added on twelve digs, while Senior Alexia Esparza contributed with nine kills of her own and five aces. Senior Gabriela Tapia was strong at the setter position providing nineteen assists for her team. Graduate Student Kennedy McRuffin and Graduate Student Autumn Lopez put in work defensively with thirteen and twelve digs, respectively. 
 
Game 2
The beginning of the first set saw it quickly going in the way of Huston-Tillotson as they started with a 10-5 run. USW brought it closer, but HTU continued to make runs to keep them ahead. HTU would have to hold off a strong Lady Mustangs comeback but still took it 25-21. 
 
Huston-Tillotson did not stop their aggressive push offensively as they jumped on the Lady Mustangs 7-1 to start the second set. USW would not go away quietly as they would go on t a run of their own to tie the set at thirteen apiece. They continued to keep up with HTU throughout the second set and would complete their comeback by taking it 25-21 and evening the match at 1-1. 
 
HTU's strong starts continued as they got off to an 11-4 start in the third set. The Lady Mustangs made it a bit tighter late at 21-17 as they looked for another comeback. Unfortunately, it came up short as Huston-Tillotson finished set three by a score of 25-19. 
 
With the Rams up 2-1 going into the fourth set, USW was looking to get going quickly to force a fifth and final set. As the set progressed, it continued to be tight as the two teams were tied halfway through, 13-13, and then later, 18-18. Both teams kept it close, but the Lady Mustangs pulled ahead and won 25-23, forcing that intense fifth set. 
 
The Lady Mustangs were heading into their first fifth set this year. Both sides were even for most of the set, going back and forth just as they had been all game. Huston-Tillotson was able to pull away in this set and take it 15-11, winning the match as well. 
 
Esparza and Trevino both added fourteen kills to their weekend total, and Tapia threw down five aces and another twenty-three assists. Trevino also had twenty-one digs, while Lopez worked defensively again with twenty. Freshman Aniya Odom led the block party for the Lady Mustangs, with five for the day. 
 
"Regardless of the split, great volleyball was played this weekend," stated Coach Cassandra Smith. "We fought together and fully supported one another; we're looking forward to progressing in our conference play! Very proud of the effort and skill that the team demonstrated, and we'll continue to grow together." 
 
USW Volleyball hits the road next weekend as they will continue RRAC play with Texas College on October 14^th and 15^th. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Volleyball on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.