Box Score MIAMI, Fla. — Top-seeded UTEP Volleyball fell in straight sets to No. 8 seed Missouri State in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament at the Ocean Bank Convention Center. The Miners, who entered the postseason as co-regular season champions, saw their tournament run cut short in a 3–0 decision.
MATCH SUMMARY
The Miners built early leads in multiple sets and made strong late pushes—forcing extra points in Set 2 and tying Set 3 late—but Missouri State capitalized in key moments. Despite competitive stretches on both sides of the ball, UTEP couldn't close the gaps down the stretch, and the Bears took all three sets to advance.
LEADERBOARD
Torrance Lovesee led the offense with 13 kills on .348 hitting, followed closely by
Sara Pustahija with 11 kills. UTEP's setting duo of
Kalia Kohler and
Mattie Gantt combined for 38 of the team's 42 assists, while
Fuka Sekita contributed two of the Miners' four aces and anchored the defense with a team-high 10 digs. At the net,
Hannah Crowe paced UTEP with five blocks, and both Lovesee and Pustahija finished with 14.5 points apiece.
SPLIT BOX
Missouri State held narrow advantages in kills (46–43) and digs (36–35), while both teams matched evenly in assists (42–42) and aces (4–4). UTEP led defensively at the net with a 9–7 blocking edge.
SET-BY-SET
ONE | UTEP came out strong in the opening set, building a fast 10–3 lead by capitalizing on Missouri State errors and steady scoring in transition. The Miners stayed in front until midway through the frame, when the Bears mounted a push and eventually tied the score at 15–15. From there, the set turned into a back-and-forth battle. UTEP briefly regained the lead, but Missouri State closed with a late run and took the opener 25–23.
TWO | The second set was tight early before Missouri State strung together a small run to go up 15–12 at the media timeout. UTEP answered with key plays on both ends of the floor and pulled within a point several times, eventually tying the set at 23–23 and again at 24–24 and 25–25 thanks to strong blocking. Despite the late rally, the Bears scored the final two points to edge out the Miners 27–25 and go ahead 2–0.
THREE | Missouri State jumped out to a 10–6 lead in Set 3, but UTEP responded with a stretch of kills and a block to tie the score at 15–15. The teams traded points through the late stages, with UTEP briefly taking a 17–16 lead before the Bears answered. The set remained close until Missouri State pulled ahead 24–21. UTEP held off one set point, but the Bears finished the frame 25–22 to seal the match.
UP NEXT
The Miners now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on November 30, where they will learn if their historic regular season earns an at-large berth into the national postseason field.
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