by El Paso, Texas– The UTEP volleyball team fell in five sets to Marshall (25-23, 29-31, 25-17, 18-25, 14-16) on Friday in Memorial Gym.
Senior Talia Jones led the Miner’s attack posting 17 kills and two digs, while Sarah Villa notched 37 digs. Setter Lindsey Larson registered 49 assists and chipped in 18 digs, six blocks and three service aces.
The Miners posted 61 kills, 56 assists, 98 digs, 18 blocks (4s/14a) and eight service aces but it was not enough to upset the Thundering Herd who recorded 65 kills, 60 assists, 94 digs and 14 blocks (2s/12a).
The squads fought point for point as the set saw 10 tied scores and three lead changes. A setting error by the Miners tied the score at 22’s but a strong kill by Kylie Baumgartner sealed the set for the Orange and Blue, 25-23.
Once again the squads went back and forth tying the score 14 times in the second frame. A kill by Idalis Rodriguez tied the score at 29’s but the Herd claimed the set, 31-29.
The intensity continued into the third set as the score tied six times. However, UTEP picked up a 11-9 lead and never looked back. The Miners captured the set 25-17 taking a 2-1 match lead.
The Herd fought back taking a 10-6 lead early in the fourth set. The Miners were unable to match Marshall’s momentum as it took the set 25-18 tying the game once again, 2-2.
Much like the previous sets, the squads continued to fight tying the score seven times in the final stanza. Back to back Marshall errors gave UTEP a 13-11 lead but the Herd was able to pick up a 5-1 run to come out on top, 16-14.
Naomi Whitehair (Navajo Nation) collected 15 digs for the Miners in the match.
UTEP will look to bounce back when it plays Rice at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Memorial Gym
