LAS CRUCES, N.M. – UTEP volleyball swept NM State, 3-0, Thursday night to kick off the Borderland Classic at the Pan American Center. The Miners improved to 5-1 on the season, while the Aggies fell to 4-4.
With the victory, UTEP claimed the season series against NM State, 2-0, after also defeating the Aggies in a five-set thriller during the Miners' home opener on Aug. 30. The win also marked UTEP's fourth consecutive victory over its I-10 rival.
MATCH SUMMARY
The Miners battled through a tight opening set before pulling away late, then took control in the second frame and rallied from a four-point deficit late in the third to complete the sweep.
UTEP erased multiple deficits in the opening set and found itself in another battle at 24-24 before closing out the frame with three of the final four points. The Miners carried that momentum into the second set, using an early run to build separation before taking a commanding 2-0 lead. NM State led 17-14 late in the third, but UTEP answered with a 10-7 finish, including the final two points, to seal the straight-set victory.
LEADERBOARD
- Ema Uskokovic led the Miners with 11 kills while hitting .303 on the night. She also posted a team-high 14.0 points and added two service aces.
- Kalia Kohler and Caryme Molina combined for 32 assists, while Molina matched Uskokovic with two aces.
- Lauren Perry added another ace, which clinched the second set.
- Three Miners finished with double-digit digs, led by Uskokovic with 18 for a double-double. Kohler followed with 13 for a double-double, while Lily-Rose Pichon added 12.
- Hannah Crowe anchored the defensive effort at the net with a team-high eight total blocks.
SPLITBOX
UTEP held the statistical advantage in kills (43-40), assists (38-35) and blocks (13-7), while NM State finished with a 62-59 edge in digs. The Miners hit .222 for the match and held the Aggies to a .110 clip.
The 13 blocks marked the Miners' fourth match this season with double-digit blocks and the third time UTEP has recorded exactly 13 blocks.
SET-BY-SET
ONE | The opening set featured 10 ties and several momentum swings. UTEP battled back from an early 4-3 deficit and later trailed 17-14 before beginning its climb back into the frame. The Miners cut the deficit to one at 21-20, then tied the score at 22 on a block before taking a 23-22 lead on an ace. NM State answered to force extra points, tying the set at 25-25, but UTEP capitalized on an Aggie attack error before
Mackenzi Davis delivered the set-winning kill to give the Miners a 1-0 match lead.
TWO | UTEP wasted little time taking control in the second set. After the teams were tied at 2-2, the Miners built a 7-4 advantage and extended the lead to 10-5 behind a kill from Crowe. UTEP maintained control throughout the remainder of the frame, pushing its advantage to 22-16 before closing out the set with three of the final four points. A
Lauren Perry service ace sealed the 25-17 victory and gave the Miners a 2-0 lead heading into the third.
THREE | The Miners had to rally in the third to complete the sweep. UTEP trailed 17-14 before a block sparked a comeback, and the Miners eventually pulled even at 18-18. NM State responded with a four-point run to regain a 22-18 advantage, but UTEP refused to go away. The Miners chipped away at the deficit before tying the score at 23 on another block. After NM State took a 24-23 lead, UTEP answered with a kill to even the score, followed by an ace from
Caryme Molina and a final kill from Uskokovic to complete the 26-24 comeback and the sweep.
UP NEXT
UTEP continues the Borderland Classic on Friday, Sept. 11, when it welcomes Pacific to the Sun City for Heroes Night. First serve is set for 6 p.m. MT, and the match will be streamed live on MW+.
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