SILVER CITY, N.M. (Oct. 28, 2023) – The Texas Woman's volleyball team recorded their 10th sweep of the season with a three straight set win over Western New Mexico on Saturday afternoon.

TWU (16-7, 8-4) hit .404 on the match and did not allow WNMU (6-19, 2-10) to score more than 18 points in a set. The win marks the Pioneers' 16th win of the season – tying their total wins from last season. With their eighth win in Lone Star Conference play, TWU has won their most LSC games since 2019. The Pioneers currently rank sixth in the LSC after today's win.

The win in Silver City, N.M. extended the Pioneers current all-time win streak against the Mustangs to six and marked TWU's first win in Silver City since 2018.

"At TWU, we love a road sweep," TWU Head Volleyball Coach Jeff Huebner said. "Our players are making really good progress in our team maturity and execution. Serve receive today really lead the way in a consistent and play-by-play approach. Our setters are continuing to grow and create great opportunities for our offense. We are looking forward to this week at home!"

In the win, the Pioneers scored 53 points and only allowed WNMU to score 27 points – the lowest of any TWU opponent this season. Additionally, the Mustangs recorded just 22 kills, also the lowest of any TWU opponent this season. The Pioneers doubled WNMU's kills, finishing the match with 44 total.

Cara Pool, who currently ranks first in the LSC in hitting percentage (.403) and 17th in NCAA Division II, led the Pioneers on offense with 11 kills and a .688 hitting percentage. Kaia Saylor and Tori Woods both added eight kills in the sweep. As a team, the Pioneers hit .404 on the day – they rank third in the LSC in hitting percentage, averaging .249 on the season.

On the LSC leader boards, the Pioneers also rank second in assists (13.02 per set) and second in kills (13.87 per set). Along with their 44 kills, TWU recorded 41 assists to WNMU's 17. Setting the Pioneers up for success with double-digit assists was Grace Reynolds, who led with 18, and Kiana Reed who finished with 12.

TWU also continued their dominance from the service line, hitting five aces in the match. Woods and Luna França both finished the match with two perfect serves. The Pioneers currently rank third in the LSC in service aces with 148 on the season and 1.80 per set.

On defense, Pool led the rejection at the net with two solo blocks. França finished with double digit digs for the 21st time this season. Marina Obradovic finished with nine digs in the win.

In the match, the Pioneers brought the energy at all positions, owning the momentum early on. After finding their rhythm in the first set, going on a 5-1 run to open a 10-6 advantage, TWU never looked back. TWU would score four unanswered points late off two kills by Woods, an ace by França and a kill by Viernes to take a 21-13 lead. 

With the 23-15 advantage after back-to-back Pool kills, WNMU would score three straight to try to deter the Pioneers, but TWU kept composed. An assist from Reynolds to Saylor would set up set point for TWU, 24-18, then Saylor would repeat with another massive kill to win set one for TWU, 25-18.

After winning set one, the Pioneers would never trail in set two. TWU opened set two with three straight points. The longest run for TWU in set two was a 7-1 run, giving the Pioneers the 19-7 advantage. TWU would find their largest lead of the set at set point, 24-11, off a monster solo block by Pool. WNMU would go on a small three point run to cut their deficit to 10, 24-14, but a kill from Pool would silence the Mustangs and win the set for TWU, 25-14, giving the Pioneers the 2-0 match lead.

While TWU was trying to complete the sweep, WNMU was working to not get swept as they found some energy to start the third set. Trailing 8-6, the Pioneers would score seven straight points to take a deciding 13-8 lead and would never trail again. A Pool kill would ignite another 7-0 run for the Pioneers late in the set giving them a 10-point advantage, 21-11. TWU would allow WNMU to score just two more points in set three. A monster block by Obradovic would bring up match point, 24-12, and a strong kill by Kenn Jean-Louis would end set three for the Pioneers, 25-13, as TWU completed the sweep of the Mustangs.

The Pioneers will play their final two regular season matches in Kitty Magee Arena on Friday, Nov. 3 against Texas A&M International at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 against Texas A&M – Kingsville at 2 p.m. TWU will celebrate their four seniors – Kaia Saylor, Kiya Yeoman, Lexi Williams and Cara Pool – after Saturday's match.