UTEP volleyball falls at #13 TCU; Miners seven game win streak snapped

FORT WORTH, Texas - The UTEP volleyball team dropped a four-set decision to No. 13 TCU, 3-1 (25-13, 22-25, 25-18, 25-12), Wednesday night at Schollmaier Arena.

With the result, both teams move to 7-2 on the season.

SET-BY-SET

ONE | TCU jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, building a 13-4 advantage before the Miners began to settle in. UTEP trimmed the deficit to 16-8 following a kill by Caryme Molina and a kill from Ema Uskokovic, but the Horned Frogs maintained control to take the first set, 25-13.

TWO | The Miners responded in the second set, battling through 12 ties before creating separation late. With the score tied at 19-19, UTEP scored five of the next six points, including kills from Mackenzi Davis and Luvina Oguntimehin, and an ace from Uskokovic, to take a 24-20 lead. Lauren Perry then closed out the set with a kill as UTEP evened the match at 1-1.

THREE | UTEP carried its momentum into the third set, opening with a 5-2 lead behind a pair of Oguntimehin aces. TCU answered with a 6-2 run to take a 9-7 lead and gradually extended its advantage. The Horned Frogs closed the set on a 7-2 run to take it, 25-18, and regain the match lead.

FOUR | TCU opened the fourth set with a 3-0 lead and used an 5-0 run to build a 10-2 advantage. The Miners continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 13-7, but the Horned Frogs maintained their lead throughout the remainder of the set. TCU closed out the match, 25-12, to secure the 3-1 victory.

LEADERBOARD

Davis paced the Miners offensively with nine kills, while Kalia Kohler distributed 20 assists. Oguntimehin recorded a team-high three service aces and added three total blocks at the net. Uskokovic led UTEP defensively with 12 digs, while Oguntimehin finished with a team-best 10.5 points.

SPLITBOX

TCU held the statistical advantage in kills (51-35), assists (47-32), digs (61-43) and blocks (13-5). Both teams recorded seven service aces. UTEP finished the night with a .102 hitting percentage, while TCU hit .282.

UP NEXT

UTEP will continue its Texas swing this week as it heads to Waco for the Baylor Classic. The Miners will face UIW on Thursday, Sept. 17, before taking on host #18 Baylor on Friday, Sept. 18.