SILVER CITY, N.M. (Nov. 4, 2017) - Briley Cole-Lewis, Caroline Noel and Courtney Noel each provided 10 kills in a Texas Woman's University sweep over Western New Mexico Saturday night at Drag's Court to secure a spot in the Lone Star Conference tournament.
 
TWU (13-16, 9-9 LSC) is still in a three-way tie for sixth place within the LSC alongside WNMU and Eastern New Mexico and now safely sit three games ahead of Midwestern State with two regular season matches remaining. Katy Ranes recorded a match-high 45 assists, which ties for the eighth-highest output in a three-set match in Division II this season. Bailey French totaled 21 digs for TWU, a team-high.
 
The Pioneers fell behind 3-0 to begin the match but quickly scored the next four points to take the lead. Back-to-back blocks from Makayla Mayfield and Courtney Noel along with kills from Ranes and Courtney Noel gave TWU a 21-17 advantage. The Pioneers remained ahead four at 23-19, but the Mustangs (9-17, 9-9 LSC) came back to tie things at 23-all. The teams continued to produce ties until Courtney Noel produced a kill and WNMU committed an attack error for an extended win.
 
TWU again fell into a 3-0 hole to begin the set but were able to take the lead at 6-5 after a kill by Ranes. Courtney Noel broke a 14-14 tie to begin a 7-0 Pioneer run for a 21-14 lead. Caroline Noel placed the Pioneers at set-point, 24-18, but the Mustangs tacked on three straight. Kerstin Jenkins then provided a kill to wrap up the set.
 
A kill by Miri Shade in set three put the Pioneers up 9-7, Mayfield pushed the lead to 12-9 with a kill. Briley Cole-Lewis tallied a kill and Courtney Noel and Ranes registered a block to help the Pioneers go ahead 19-14. With TWU leading 21-18, the Pioneers put together four final points for the match victory.
 
Head Coach Jeff Huebner said, "Terrific match from our team. We had all 10 locked in today with everyone contributing where we needed. Katy ran a terrific offense while Courtney and Briley continue to improve every day. I'm proud of our team for putting in the work to clinch a berth before the end of conference play. We have goals specific for our conference tournament finish and are excited to represent TWU."
 
The Pioneers return home for their final home stand of the season with a match Friday at 7 p.m. against West Texas A&M and Saturday at 2 p.m. versus UT Permian Basin.