The UTEP volleyball team (11-3, 0-1 CUSA) lost by sweep in its Conference USA opener against (RV) Rice, 3-0, (18-25, 21-25, 16-25) Saturday.
Serena Patterson was the top scorer of the match with 11 kills. Hande Yetis led the team with 16 assists while Kristen Fritsche recorded 13 assists. Ryley Frye scored two services aces for the Miners. For the defense, Yetis and Paulina Perez Rosas both tallied nine digs.
The Miners totaled eight assisted blocks and one solo block by Vittoria Price. Four Miners hit above .300: Patterson (.500), Price (.375), Alianza Darley (.357) and Fritsche (.333).
With two tied scores and no lead changes, (RV) Rice pulled ahead quickly to win the first set, 25-18.
The Miners kept it close in the second set with just one tied score of 7-7. Due to no lead changes, the Owls once again stopped the Miners, 25-21.
UTEP attempted to rally in the final set, but was no match for the Owls’ sweep victory.
UTEP will look to bounce back Sunday (Oct. 3) at 11 a.m. MT against (RV) Rice for day two in conference play. The match-up will be streamed on CUSA.tv, with live stats available.
For all things UTEP Volleyball, click here; for our complete coverage of the Miners, click here.
