DENTON, Texas  – Texas Woman's secured its second sweep in a row Saturday thanks to a 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Western New Mexico, pushing its winning streak to three and maintaining fifth place in the Lone Star Conference. 

TWU (17-11, 9-9 LSC) played tight and precise in the first set, establishing the lead from start to finish, and hitting .333 while registering only one attack error. Senior Makayla Mayfield, who was recognized before the game for her outstanding career as a Pioneer, landed kills on both of her attacks for a perfect set, including the kill that gave TWU set point. Junior Erin Jones had been finding success with her floating serves, but stumbled at set point, 24-12, allowing the Mustangs (9-17, 5-12 LSC) to get three points before junior Katy Ranes set junior Caroline Noel for the final kill to end the set, 25-15.

"I think it starts with good decision-making with our setter who has been incredible for us the last three matches," TWU head coach Jeff Huebner said. "She continues to show why she's the best setter in the league, so that puts our hitters in a good place."

Western New Mexico sought to recover in the second set, bringing up its hitting percentage from .024 to .154 and coming out with an early lead. The Pioneers' defense played smart, avoiding unwanted touches to take advantage of the Mustangs' overshooting, but most of the set would be a back and forth struggle for a consistent lead. Rallies were long as neither squad was willing to cede even a point, until back-to-back kills by junior Maggie Pyles and Mayfield gave the Pioneers a 24-21 lead at set point. WNMU managed one more point before Mayfield sank the final kill for the Pioneers, 25-22.

"(Mayfield), in her career, has been as competitive as any athlete that I've coached," Huebner said. "At the start of the match we talked about committing ourselves to living up to the standard that she set for us and I think we did a really great job. Western New Mexico is a really good team but when we execute skills like we did, we're really tough."

Junior Courtney Noel would bookend the third set for the Pioneers, beginning and ending the set with service aces. The tone set in the second would continue through the third. There were 12 ties and six lead changes with neither team taking a distinct lead until the Falcons stalled out at 17-18 and the momentum switched to TWU. The Pioneers made a 4-0 run with kills from Mayfield, Pyles and freshman Elizabeth Ugbaja, and a block by Courtney Noel and Mayfield. Courtney Noel would go one to get the last two kills for TWU and then launched a long serve that stayed in, securing victory for the Pioneers, 25-19.

"I think that [WNMU] played good defense on their side," Huebner said. "We did a good job of making very few hitting errors and we played great defense, too. It'll happen that way when it's good decision after good decision. Our kids were really committed to staying focused through rallies."

Courtney Noel led the game in hitting percentage with .550 on 11 kills and no errors on 20 attempts, contributing to TWU's overall .273 hitting percentage to the Mustangs' .110. Ranes once again double-doubled with 38 assists and 12 digs, securing her leadership in assists in the Lone Star, and pushing her over the 3,000 mark for her career. French notched another 24 digs and sits number two in the LSC at an average of 5.42 digs per set. Pyles led all players with a game-high 14 kills. 

"Liz Ugbaja did a good job of staying committed to doing the right things and finishing with a good hitting efficiency," Huebner said. "Courtney continues to be incredible for us and is counted upon. Maggie Pyles really had a great match. All to top off how well Makayla played. I think that's about as good an experience as we can hope to put together for her senior day."

The game was the final home regular season contest for the Pioneers, and they paid special tribute to the team's only senior. Mayfield was honored by her teammates, coaches and the fans for her four seasons spent dedicated to the volleyball program.

"As a senior and a leader, I think that [Mayfield] has been through so much in her four years," Huebner said. "She's seen every side of collegiate volleyball, and for her to demonstrate her commitment to our university, to graduate in three and a half years, and to play like she did on senior day says a lot to who she is as a person and the support she as from her teammates."

Mayfield played all three sets, had an attack percentage of .292 (eight kills, one error, 24 attempts), and tallied two assists, one block assist, and eight digs for 8.5 points. She will graduate in December with her bachelor's degree in business administration.

"[Makayla] is fiercely loyal, and she has really created a culture here that any athlete would love to be a part of," Huebner continued. "We are very thankful for her legacy here."

The Pioneers wrap up league play on the road next weekend. TWU will face West Texas A&M on Friday at 6 p.m. and Eastern New Mexico on Saturday at 1 p.m. Central.