SAN ANGELO, Texas (Dec. 3) – The TWU volleyball team fell in straight sets to #19 Colorado School of Mines at the NCAA South Central Region Tournament.  TWU fell, 25-20, 25-18, and 25-17, at Junell Center on the campus of Angelo State.
 
The Pioneers playing without their kills and points leader senior Hillary Shaffer played their hearts out.  Shaffer, a first team all-region and all-conference selection, was injured in practice on Tuesday prior to the team's departure to San Angelo.
 
TWU was led by junior Sara Oxford with nine kills while senior Joey Redwine added six kills, 19 assists and seven digs.  Junior Mallory Kuehle also chipped in four kills and 10 digs while senior Torie Talkington led the game with 18 digs.
 
The Pioneers started the game on fire as they jumped out to an early 10-3 lead in the opening set.  TWU led 12-5 before Mines went on a run.  The Orediggers used a 12-5 run to even the score at 17-17.  The Pioneers regained the lead on sophomore Haley Collins' kill but Mines answered with five straight points.  Both teams split the next four points as the Orediggers captured a 25-20 win.
 
TWU stayed close through the first 25 points in the second set with nine ties and four lead changes.  With the scored knotted at 12-12, Mines used a 9-3 run to take a 21-15 lead.  The Orediggers closed out the set outscoring TWU 4-3 in the final seven points.
 
In the third set the Pioneers again stayed close early and the score was tied at 8-8.  Mines went on a 7-2 run to take a 15-10 lead.  TWU scored three straight points to cut the deficit to two but the Orediggers answered with three points of their own.  Mines closed out the game on a 10-4 run.
 
"We played hard and it's unfortunate that we have to play without one of our best player," said TWU head coach Shelly Barberee.  "We are proud that we made it to the NCAA Tournament and we had a good season.  I am proud of every single player on this team for what we accomplished."
 
Thursday's game marks the end of the TWU careers for Kuechle, Redwine, Shaffer, Talkington and Brittany Land. Kuechle finished with 728 career kills and 1,020 career digs in three years while Redwine recorded 2,014 career assists and 512 digs in two years and Shaffer posted 502 career kills and 272 career blocks in three season.  Talkington the lone four-year player had 71 career service aces and 948 career digs.
 
"I am very proud of my graduating players," Barberee said.  "They have done so much to this program both on the court and in the classroom.  We will miss them."