In the ultimate doubleheader, UTEP volleyball rallied against their I-10 rival, New Mexico State University Aggies. With the two-game win streak, the Miners improved to an overall score of 15-2 (5-0 Conference USA), as NMSU dropped 9-9 (3-3 C-USA).
Both games showed impressive crowd appearances, with over 2,000 fans each game. This and other milestones were achieved across both games, including a historic accomplishment from graduate student Alyssa Sianez.
Game two saw Sianez break the UTEP all-time dig record, previously set by Sarah Villa who competed from 2013 to 2016. Head coach Ben Wallis spoke about the fulfillment of beating UTEP’s I-10 rival and the dedication his team made to get both wins.
“These two wins were big. Anytime you can get back-to-back wins over a rival, it’s an emotional drain,” said Wallis. “Our players found a way to win and pushed around a great NM State team, mostly from the service line.”
Game one:
Zoning in on a few errors from the Aggies and early kills from freshman Lauren Perry and juniors Kaya Weaver and Sara Pustahijia helped the Miners slowly but surely secure the first set 25-22. The crucial blocking continued into the second with key blocks from Pustahija and senior Danika Washington.
This effort helped UTEP tread quickly with a lead of 7-3, and with an impressive, combined kill streak from juniors Ema Uskokovic, Torrance Lovesee, and Weaver, the Aggies soon forced a time out at a score of 13-7. Toward the latter half of the set, the Aggies found wind, but efficient back-to-back aces from Lovesee and persistent offense saw UTEP with the win of 25-19.
In an intense third set, the Aggies started strong taking the lead against the Miners. Soon UTEP was able to act quickly with kills by Lovesee and Weaver straightening the score with a tie of 4-4. However, this started a breakout of intense back-and-forth battles between the teams.
At 9-12, UTEP took a timeout, and the Miners continued to fight hard with efficient blocks from Weaver getting them ever so slightly to the end. Soon an ace from Lovesee and kills from Perry granted UTEP the win of the set and game one.
Game two:
Game two saw another exhibition of dedication from both teams and surging excitement from fans. In set one, the Miners came out swinging with a lead of 3-0 thanks to a kill from Weaver and an ace from sophomore Kalia Kohler. This fierceness from the Miners continued as blocks from Lovesee, Uskokovic, and Washington helped glide the score to 9-4.
Soon many crucial blocks and aces continued from the Miners, and with kills from freshman Landry Braziel and an ace from redshirt junior Madison Hill helped UTEP get the winning set score of 25-11.
Set two saw the momentum continue for the Miners, with a kill from Weaver to start the pace out strong. Soon UTEP’s defense came into action led by Uskokovic and Washington, to help raise the score to 7-2.
After a combined mix of powerful serving by Kohler and consecutive kills from Perry secured the Miners with the second set. Set three saw an aggressive pounce from the Aggies, winning the set despite the best efforts from the Miners.
Set four saw a regrouping from the Miners and utilization of errors from the Aggies. Soon kills from Weaver and an ace from Kohler helped push the score to 19-10. After a back and forth, Washington and Weaver put the final nail in the coffin closing out the set to 25-17 which secured the win of game two for UTEP.
UTEP volleyball will be on the road Oct. 12-13 to play off against Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.
Catching Marginot is a contributor and can be reached at hcmarginot@miners.utep.edu
