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This match recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partner KEJJ / KPKE Radio

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GUNNISON, Colo. - Western State Colorado University volleyball sent their two graduating seniors off in style Saturday night.  The Mountaineers defeated New Mexico Highlands University in five thrilling sets to end the 2014 season.

Western (2-20, 2-16 RMAC) ended the season on a two-match win streak.  It's the first time since 2011 the Mountaineers have won back-to-back matches and the first time since 2010 Western has won two consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matches.

After NMHU (11-18, 5-13 RMAC) won the first set 25-21, the Mountaineers came alive in the second set.

As the second set went back and forth, one thing remained for the Mountaineers and that was determination.  Ahead by two points, 22-20, Western earned the final three points set.  Avery Burkholder (So., Helotes, Texas) and Jordan Eatwell (Fr., Fruita, Colorado) each added a kill to put Western in a tie with NMHU, 1-1.

Eatwell led the match in kills with 19 and led the Mountaineers with 228 kills in 2014.

A tight third set found Western and Highlands tied at 23 points.  The Cowgirls received the final two points and took a 2-1 lead into the fourth set.

Needing a win to force a fifth set, the Mountaineers and their crowd laid it all on the line in the fourth set.  With an 18-15 lead, the Mountaineers were in control.  However, a surging Cowgirl offense scored the next seven points, taking a 22-18 lead.  With the final match in the balance, Western responded with a 5-1 run to tie the match at 23 points.  The match continued as neither team was able to get ahead more than one point.  At 27-28 and facing match point, Tori Gaherty (So., Colorado Springs, Colorado) recorded a kill to tie the match at 28 points.  Logan Franek (RFr., Elbert, Colorado) then checked into the game and served two points for Western, giving the Mountaineers a much deserved fourth set victory, 30-28

After getting out to a 9-4 lead in the fifth set, Eatwell took over the serving duties for Western.  Eatwell scored Western's next four of six points on service aces and helped Western earn a 3-2 win over Highlands.

Western seniors Sara Larson (Sr., Windsor, Colorado) and Morgan Stansberry (Sr., Olathe, Colorado) ended their careers in Paul Wright Gym with two final wins.