ATHENS, Ohio – Behind Danika Washington's two career-highs (12 kills, 8 blocks) and Marian Ovalle's zero-error .750 attack percentage, UTEP Volleyball (6-1) picked up the win against William & Mary, 3-1 (25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 25-13) Friday afternoon at The Convo.    

The UTEP defense registered the 4th most block assists (26) in a four-set match in program history to help the Miners down the Tribe. 

"It was a good team win," head coach Ben Wallis said. "Earlier in the year we didn't know what William & Mary would look like, but they are well coached, and this was a good test for us. 

"I was really proud of Danika Washington and Kaya Weaver," Wallis said. "They played really well for long stretches. Danika's demeanor is so good and she's getting so much more comfortable and we're able to do a lot with her. She was a beast today and she's capable. Kaya really turned it on and shut people down. She's really matured as a player and understands the adjustments." 

UTEP held the statistical advantage in kills (53-39), team blocks (15-8), hitting percentage (.233 - .108), and aces (9-4). 

SET ONE | WM picked up a fast 4-0 lead to open the match, but UTEP came from behind, putting up five kills to gain the lead, 14-12. The Miners never looked back as they settled into the 20's on a 4-0 run and closed the set, 25-18, with a kill from Danika Washington. 

SET TWO | The Tribe had full control of the second set right up until set-point. WM kicked things off with a 6-1 advantage pushing the Miners to sidebar. UTEP closed in at 14-13 off two kills and a WM error, but the Tribe continued racking up points, leading by five at UTEP's second timeout, 19-14. UTEP put up two points for every one of WM's to knot the set and take over with a 24-23 lead. With set point on the line, the Tribe pulled off three unanswered to win the set 26-24.  

SET THREE | UTEP won the opening point for the first time in the match and only allowed WM to tie the score three times, but never let the Tribe take the lead away in yet another close set. WM evened things out at points 3, 6, and 8, but each time the Miners answered with multiple points and a few WM errors sprinkled in as well. The Miners were big at the net with five blocks leading up to WM's second timeout of the set at 22-17. As UTEP reached set point, 24-20, WM responded with three straight kills, but Torrance Lovesee pulled up with a kill to take the set, 25-23.   

SET FOUR | The Miners were determined to put this set away, posting purely blocks and kills for the 9-4 advantage. A big UTEP scoring run lifted the Miners, 20-9, with the end in sight. However, the Tribe locked in an 8-0 run of their own to shrink the deficit, 20-17. UTEP and WM went 1-for-1 before the Miners slammed down the final four points needed to secure the win, 25-18.  

"All-in-all it was great to get a lot of players in today," Wallis said. "It was good to get Mattie Gantt back in the game. Today we had a plan to get her in and comfortable. It was a struggle at first, but she settled in and helped us do some cool things offensively. She has a unique camaraderie and connection with Marian (Ovalle), so she was able to pop some balls back there for her to get us out of some stressful situations. Torrance, Sara and Alyssa were all great on the defense as well. Alyssa was very much in control today and very vocal. Now, we're going to rest up and recover to get out of here with a third victory tomorrow over a good NC State team." 

UP NEXT     
UTEP closes out the Bobcat invitational against NC State Saturday (Sep. 9) at 9 a.m. MT. 
 

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