by Bowling Green, KY. – The UTEP volleyball team fell to Western Kentucky, 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-10) on Thursday night. The Miners drop down to 6-20 overall and 4-11 in C-USA action.
The Miners’ offense was led by freshman Coline Coessens and junior Talia Jones as they both hammered out seven kills apiece. UTEP’s defense was led by libero Naomi Whitehair (Navajo Nation) who secured 12 digs.
The squads opened the match exchanging point for point as they tied three times with two lead changes. Three consecutive UTEP errors would give WKU a 14-8 advantage. The Lady Toppers would maintain their lead as they held the Miners to a .000 hitting percentage, taking the set 25-14.
Western Kentucky carried over its momentum into the second set as it took a 9-6 lead. However, a kill by Jones would spark a 4-1 for the Orange and Blue to tie the match at 10.
The squads would tie the score one more time but it would the Lady Toppers, who would regain the lead with a 4-0 run. Ultimately taking the set at 25-18.
WKU would go on to take the last set, 25-10 as it held UTEP to a negative attack percentage.
The Miners will wrap up conference play with a match against North Texas on Saturday at 4 p.m. (MT) in Denton, Texas.
