North Texas downs UTEP Volleyball 0-3

DENTON, Texas – The UTEP volleyball team (4-15, 2-4 C-USA) dropped its match against North Texas (10-11, 4-2 C-USA) in straight sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-11) Friday evening.

The Orange and Blue was led by Lindsey Larson in kills with a total of nine. Macey Austin and Tatum Winter followed with five kills each.

Amanda King topped the UTEP squad with a total of 14 assists, while Larson followed with eight. Larson and Tatum also paced the team with five blocks, respectively.

As a team, UTEP produced 36 digs, 26 kills, 24 assists, six blocks and two service aces.

The first set opened up with a point-for-point battle. The score tied four times before the Mean Green called its first timeout as the Miners led 14-10. UNT returned from the timeout by going off on a 5-2 run to trail by only one and UTEP called a timeout of its own.

Head coach Holly Watts called another timeout after the Mean Green claimed the lead, 21-18. The Orange and Blue was unable to recover from the deficit and the home team took a 1-0 match-lead with a 25-20 win in the frame.

The second period in similar fashion as the score was knotted five times before UTEP called a timeout with UNT leading the way, 13-9. The Miners came within one point later on in the match (22-21) but the Mean Green went into the intermission with a 25-21 set win and a 2-0 advantage in the match.

UNT stormed out of the locker room to take a 11-1 lead early in the third stanza. The Miners scored six more points but called a timeout as UNT continued to lead 19-7. UTEP scored three consecutive points but the Mean Green called a timeout on the court to cut UTEP’s burst of momentum. A 6-1 run on UNT’s part would give the host a 25-11 set victory and a 3-0 match win.

The Orange and Blue will now travel to San Antonio to face UTSA for the second time this season on Sunday at 12 p.m. MT.