SILVER CITY, N.M. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team pushed Western New Mexico University (7-3, 2-0 RMAC) Saturday evening in Silver City, N.M., but fell short in three-straight sets (25-20, 28-26, 25-20). The Mountaineers finish a 12-match road stretch to start the season and will host CSU-Pueblo at 7 p.m. Tuesday for their home opener.
 
Jordan Eatwell led the Mountaineers with 11 kills. Taylor Castillo had nine kills, while Molly Hothan chipped in eight. Avery Burkholder played a good all-around match, leading the team with a .500 hitting percentage on seven kills, as well as a team-high five blocks.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, Allison Walker distributed the ball to five players for 32 assists, while Amanda Maestas had 20 digs.
 
The Mountaineers fought hard in a match that featured eight lead changes and 23 ties. In every match Western took an early lead, 4-1, 6-3 and 3-0. Western State had a change to steal the second set with set-points at 24-23, 25-24 and 26-25, but allowed three straight kills to drop the match.