ODESSA, Texas — During the final day of competition at the Dr. Steve Aicinena "Iceman" Invitational, the Sul Ross State volleyball team fell in both of its matches Friday night at the Falcon Dome.
Sul Ross State suffered a four-set loss to New Mexico Highlands before being swept by Southeastern Oklahoma.
>> SRSU vs. New Mexico Highlands:
It was a rough start in the opening set as New Mexico Highlands led by as much as 10 points.
Late in the game, New Mexico Highlands used a 4-0 run to extend its lead to 11 points to take the first set.
The Lobos got off to a good start in the second set, taking a 4-0 lead highlighted by two kills from
Cassandra Espinoza and
Angelli Sanchez.
After back-to-back kills from
Jayci Richters, the Lobos led by six.
Edie Coleman then got in on the action by tallying back-to-back kills to keep the momentum rolling for the Lobos as they led 11-3.
Sul Ross State's lead increased to 10 after a 3-0 run that had two kills from
Sarah Chavez and
Miranda Acosta.
The Lobos pulled ahead to 11 points late in the set after a kill from Coleman, which helped the Lobos later tie up the match.
Sul Ross State kept that momentum going into the third set as it led 10-6 after a kill from Espinoza.
New Mexico Highlands went off using a 10-0 run to take a 16-10 lead.
The Lobos answered back, late in the set, with a 6-0 run that gave them a one-point lead. Espinoza had two kills while
Eliana Mata served up an ace during the run.
As the score was tied three times down the final stretch, New Mexico Highlands pulled ahead with a two-point victory to lead the match.
In the fourth set, the Lobos held the lead into the middle of the game as they went on a 4-0 run aided by two kills from Espinoza.
New Mexico Highlands used a 5-0 run to break away to take the match.
>> RECORDS: New Mexico Highlands (1-4); Sul Ross State (0-2)
>> GAME NOTES:
- Espinoza led the offense with a double-double tallying 12 kills and 22 digs.
- Richters and Natalie Hernandez each finished with seven kills.
- Mata had 22 assists and eight digs.
- Tatyana Colon finished with 15 digs and one service ace.
>> SRSU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma:
Southeastern Oklahoma started the first set on a 4-0 run.
Late in the set, Southeastern Oklahoma used a 6-0 run to lead by 13 points.
The second set was another game filled with runs as Southeastern Oklahoma put together a 7-0 run to make the score 21-9.
In a hole, down by two sets, the Lobos managed to go on a 6-0 run to take their biggest lead of the match.
Acosta had three service aces while
Libby Foster and
Payton Miller each had a kill to give the Lobos a four-point lead.
The Lobos fought hard down the stretch, but Southeastern Oklahoma managed to pull away late in the set to earn the sweep.
>> RECORDS: Southeastern Oklahoma (2-4); Sul Ross State (0-3)
>> GAME NOTES:
- Hernandez led the way with seven kills while Miller had four.
- Mata tallied 12 assists while Brylee Sweeten added seven assists.
- Colon finished with 17 digs.
- Colon was named to the all-tournament team.
>> UP NEXT: The Lobos travel to Portales, N.M. for the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Challenge from Thursday, Sept. 19 to Saturday, Sept. 21. Sul Ross State takes on Western New Mexico for its first game at 4 p.m. CST.
