Aug. 29, 2014
Final Stats
Albuquerque, N.M – The UTEP volleyball team fell, 3-0 (23-25, 17-25, 10-25) to No. 2 Texas in its opening match of the Lobo Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. on Friday.
Facing the Longhorns in its opening weekend for a second consecutive year, UTEP forced Texas to five blocking errors while the Miners kept clean of any.
Newcomer Coline Coessens led the Miners’ offense, as she hammered out 11 kills while committing only three errors. Junior Talia Jones followed with nine kills. Freshman Krystal Ejesieme and senior Jacqueline Cason each added five kills.
Defensively the Orange and Blue were led by senior libero Dayana Acevedo-Rios, who registered a match-high 11 digs. Sophomore setter Lindsey Larson also recorded a match-best performance, as she posted 30 assists.
No. 2 Texas took the lead in the first set, but the Miners matched the Longhorns’ momentum. Playing point-for-point with the 2012 national champion, a block error by Texas tied the set, 8-8. A powerhouse kill by Jones gave the Miners their first lead.
Two more kills by Larson and Cason, respectively, kept the Longhorns chasing for the lead. However, despite a great effort at holding Texas to a .231 hitting percentage, Miner errors gave way for Texas to retake the lead and ultimately the set at 25-23.
Much like the first set, the squads fought point for point as UTEP recorded 12 kills for Texas’ 13 in the second set.
The Orange and Blue led the set defensively, as they out blocked the Longhorns five to three. It was not enough, though, to keep Texas from capturing the set, 25-17.
Texas started strong in the third set, building a 22-10 lead. The Longhorns would maintain their advantage as they pounded a .708 hitting percentage while holding UTEP to a .138 performance.
The Miners will return to the court again at 5 p.m. (MT) versus Seattle University.
