Nov. 2, 2014
Final Stats
UTEP 3, LA Tech 1
RUSTON, LA. – The UTEP volleyball team (5-18, 3-9) claimed its third conference win with a four-set victory (25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21) over the LA Tech Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.
The Miners’ triumph was paced by Dominique Millette as she registered a match-high .375 hitting percentage off of 13 kills and only four errors. Freshman Dalainee Perry also sparked along the net for 11 kills while fellow classmate Coline Coessens recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 14 digs.
Defensively, UTEP’s back row was directed by junior Ashley Peak with 18 digs. Junior Naomi Whitehair chipped in 10 digs while senior Jacqueline Cason registered four assisted blocks and two solo blocks. The Miners finished the match with 12 blocks to LA Tech’s eight.
The squads opened the match with a back-and-fourth battle, tying the score 11 times with seven lead changes. With the score set at 17, the Miners commanded three consecutive errors off the Bulldogs, forcing LA Tech to its second timeout of the match.
Coming off the timeout, LA Tech’s Marta Monne would bring the Bulldogs only two behind the Miners at 20-18. However, it would not be enough to break the Orange and Blue’s offense rhythm as consecutive kills by Perry ignited a 5-1 run allowing the Miners to take the first set, 25-19.
Much like the first set, the teams would open the second stanza with a fight for points, tying 12 times with four lead changes. Knotted at 23, it would be LA Tech who would steal the set off a UTEP error, 25-23.
After LA Tech stole the second set to extend the match, the Miners gathered their momentum and used it to take a quick 7-4 lead early in the third. The Bulldogs were able to even the match at 18-18 before UTEP would clench the lead for good. Talia Jones, Coessens, Perry and Cason would notch a combined five kills to claim the set, 25-20 for the Miners.
UTEP opened the last frame with an 18-13 lead forcing LA Tech to a time out. Holding the Bulldogs to a -.053 hitting percentage, the Miners would maintain their advantage and claim the final set, 25-21
UTEP will return to Memorial Gym this weekend as they host FIU on Friday at 7 p.m. (MT) and Charlotte on Sunday at 12 p.m.
