Box Score MADISON, Wis. — UTEP volleyball's 2025 season came to an end Thursday afternoon as the Miners fell to North Carolina, 3–1, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the UW Field House.
MATCH SUMMARY
UTEP (25-5) opened its NCAA Tournament first-round appearance with a strong start, taking the opening set 26–24. North Carolina (22-8) countered with a dominant response in the second set and carried that momentum into the third, using early leads and consistent pressure to gain control of the match. The Miners showed resilience in the fourth set, battling back from multiple deficits and pulling even several times as both teams traded lengthy rallies and defensive stands. However, UNC's late-set execution proved to be the difference, closing out the frame 25–21 to secure the match.
LEADERBOARD
UTEP was paced offensively by Sara Pustahija, who recorded a team-high 11 kills. The Miners' setting duo of Kalia Kohler (23) and Mattie Gantt (17) combined for 40 assists, while Ella Meador delivered a match-best four service aces to fuel the serving effort. Defensively, Fuka Sekita anchored the back row with 13 digs, and Danika Washington led the front line with three blocks.
SPLIT BOX
In the statistical breakdown, North Carolina held advantages in kills (50–46), assists (48–45), digs (44–42), and blocks (15–5). UTEP, however, controlled the service line with a 9–6 edge in aces.
SET-BY-SET
ONE | UTEP opened the match with a composed and opportunistic first set, overcoming an early 4–1 deficit with a 12–3 surge sparked by aggressive serving. Aces from Fuka Sekita, Mattie Gantt, and Ella Meador flipped the momentum, while key kills from Landry Braziel, Sara Pustahija, and Hannah Crowe pushed the Miners ahead 13–7. North Carolina countered with a seven-point rally to tie the frame at 14, but UTEP responded with another burst powered by Braziel and Pustahija to reestablish control at 19–15. The Tar Heels mounted one final push to take a late 24–23 lead, forcing a UTEP timeout, but the Miners delivered under pressure. Danika Washington tied it, UNC followed with an attack error, and Pustahija sealed the frame with a kill to take the opener, 26–24.
TWO | North Carolina controlled the second set from the start, racing out to an 8–2 lead that forced an early UTEP timeout. The Tar Heels continued to apply pressure from the service line and in transition, stretching the margin to 17–6 and never allowing the Miners to find rhythm. UTEP managed to chip in points with kills from Torrance Lovesee, Washington, Pustahija, Braziel, and Luvina Oguntimehin. UNC closed out the set 25–11 to even the match at one set apiece.
THREE | UNC carried its momentum into the third set, again jumping ahead 10–5 before UTEP slowed the Tar Heel run with a timeout. Crowe's ace, multiple kills from Washington, and steady swings from Braziel and Oguntimehin helped keep the Miners within striking distance, eventually cutting the margin to 20–16. Meador added an ace, and Sydney Frazier contributed a kill late as UTEP made another push, pulling within 21–17. However, North Carolina responded, winning four of the final five points to take the set 25–18 and move ahead 2–1 in the match.
FOUR | Set four featured the tightest action outside of the opener, with UTEP battling back multiple times after UNC built small early leads. Key kills from Braziel, Washington, and Oguntimehin, along with a solo block from Washington and an ace from Meador, helped the Miners erase a 12–8 deficit. UTEP surged to tie the set at 14 after a kill from Lovesee and a block from Braziel and Frazier, and the teams continued trading blows through 17–17. Oguntimehin sparked another UTEP push with back-to-back kills to knot the score at 19, but North Carolina closed the frame with a 6–2 run. Despite a late Pustahija kill and a UNC attack error, the Tar Heels secured the set 25–21 to claim the match.
POSTMATCH PRESS CONFERENCE — QUOTES
Head Coach Ben Wallis
Wallis credited North Carolina's elite blocking presence as a major factor in the match.
"They're one of the best blocking teams in the country for a reason. They did a great job shrinking the court on us. Not having Torrance at full strength really hurt us—she's such a great out-of-system attacker and we rely on her heavily in the back row. Without her in six rotations, we had to set some younger players out of system against a very long, very skilled block. UNC is a top-five blocking team in the country, and we felt that."
He also praised his team's adjustments and resilience.
"After the third set, we really started making better choices and ripping the block, giving ourselves more opportunities. But when you don't face teams this long and physical every night, things close fast. Still, the response from our players was incredible. Everyone emptied the tank."
Wallis highlighted the contributions of the entire roster—both on the floor and on the sideline.
"I told them in the locker room that I don't know that I'll ever have a team like this again. All 18 gave me everything they had, even the ones who couldn't play at the end. They coached from the bench, they supported, they invested. That's all you can ask for as a coach. We walk out of here with no regrets."
He also reflected on the seniors' legacy and the evolution of the program.
"Four years ago, we were losing five-set matches nonstop and learning hard lessons. Now we're here competing in the NCAA Tournament and making national noise. These seniors chose to stay when they could have gone elsewhere, and because of them, El Paso is now a destination for volleyball. This group has laid a foundation that will be remembered for decades."
OH Sara Pustahija
Pustahija reflected emotionally on her final collegiate match and the team's fight.
"From the start, we went in with an all-or-nothing mindset. We gave everything we had. UNC stopped us really well and made it tough with their size and their serve pressure, but it was still so enjoyable. This being my last college match, it's emotional—but I'm proud of how we fought and I'm grateful for my teammates and coaches. This is a memory I'll hold forever."
On why she chose to stay at UTEP:
"I couldn't imagine being coached by anyone but Ben. We built something special together, from a freshman group that struggled to now. I couldn't ask for a better team or staff. The connections we made are what I'll remember most."
MB Danika Washington
Washington, appearing in her second NCAA Tournament, shared the joy of competing on this stage again.
"So much fun—that's really what it was. I never thought I'd be back here after last season, so to sit here again is something I'm so grateful for. My teammates made me feel so welcome coming back, and to compete against teams of this caliber was unbelievable. We pushed UNC and made them uncomfortable. At full strength, I know we could've gone toe-to-toe. I'm proud of us."
Looking at the future of the program:
"The underclassmen have such a good example to follow. Players like Luvina and Landry—they're going to be just fine. The standard is high here now, and they've seen firsthand what it takes."
On returning for her final season:
"There was never a question about leaving. Coming back was the best decision I've made."
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