Miners Sweep SFA to Close Non-Conference Play
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KVIA) -- UTEP volleyball closed out non-conference play in dominant fashion, sweeping Stephen F. Austin, 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-22), Saturday afternoon at Shelton Gym. The Miners improve to 10-2 on the year while the Ladyjacks fall to 5-6.
ALL-TOURNAMENT
UTEP’s consistency carried over to the tournament honors as Sara Pustahija and Kalia Kohler were named to the six-member all-tournament team. SMU’s Malaya Jones was tabbed the tournament MVP.
MATCH SUMMARY
The Miners opened strong with a 25-22 win in the first set, taking advantage of early miscues from the Ladyjacks and closing with steady play at the net. UTEP carried its momentum into the second frame, building a mid-set cushion and holding off a late push to earn another 25-21 victory. In the third, the Miners jumped out early, weathered an SFA rally, and delivered in the closing points to secure a 25-22 win and complete the sweep.
LEADERBOARD
- Torrance Lovesee led with nine kills and added two aces to finish with 12.5 points.
- Danika Washington recorded a team-best .364 hitting percentage.
- Setters Kalia Kohler (17) and Mattie Gantt (11) combined for 28 assists.
- Sara Pustahija paced the defense with 12 digs.
- Kaya Weaver led the net with five blocks.
SPLIT BOX
UTEP controlled the match with a balanced effort, overcoming SFA’s statistical edge in kills (44-39), assists (38-36), and blocks (9-7). The Miners finished with more aces (5-2) and digs (45-38) while posting a .210 hitting percentage and limiting the Ladyjacks to .197.
SET-BY-SET
ONE | UTEP jumped out to an early lead in the opening set against Stephen F. Austin and never looked back, taking it 25-22. The Miners capitalized on a string of SFA errors to build momentum, then got key contributions at the net from Lovesee, Weaver, and Washington to keep control. A late push from the Ladyjacks closed the gap, but UTEP held firm with kills from Pustahija and Weaver to secure the set and go up 1-0 in the match.
TWO | UTEP kept the momentum rolling in the second set, pulling away from Stephen F. Austin for a 25-21 victory and a 2-0 match lead. The Miners showcased balance at the net with kills from Pustahija, Lovesee, and Luvina Oguntimehin, while Kaya Weaver anchored the defense with a solo block. After SFA cut the gap late, UTEP steadied the frame behind kills from Oguntimehin and Lovesee to close out the set.
THREE | UTEP sealed the sweep with a hard-fought 25-22 win in the third set against Stephen F. Austin. The Miners jumped out to a quick lead behind early kills from Pustahija and Weaver, but SFA responded to take control midway through. UTEP regrouped out of a timeout, using strikes from Pustahija, Weaver, and Lovesee to regain the edge. With the set tied at 20-all, Lovesee delivered three clutch kills before SFA errors closed out the frame and gave the Miners the 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
UTEP opens Conference USA play September 26-27 on the road at Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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