GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University volleyball played their final home match of the season Tuesday night in Paul Wright Gym. The Mountaineers won the third set but were unable to defeat New Mexico Highlands, falling 3-1 (18-25, 21-25, 25-18, 16-25).
 
Western (2-24, 1-16 RMAC) honored four seniors prior to the start of Tuesday's match. Jordan Eatwell, Logan Franek, McKenzie Price and Kaitlin Verhagen each played their final match in front of the home crowd.
 
After falling in the first set, 18-25, Western fought for a 17-15 lead in the second set. NMHU (9-13, 6-11 RMAC) would move ahead of the Mountaineers, scoring the following five points to make the score 20-17. The Cowgirls won the set 25-21.
 
In the third set Western took a 5-4 lead and didn't look back. The Mountaineers never relinquished the lead and won the third set 25-18.
 
Western hit .282 in the third, the highest hitting percentage in a set recorded by either team on Tuesday night.
 
The two teams exchanged points in the fourth set and were tied 12-12. An 8-1 run by the Cowgirls put them ahead of the Mountaineers 20-13. The lead led to a 25-16 set victory for NMHU and they took the match 3-1.
 
Kiki Johnson led the Mountaineers with 11 kills.
 
NMHU's Cynthia Norris led all players with 13 kills.
 
Western will end the season on Saturday at Adams State University. The Mountaineers will face the Grizzlies at 6 p.m. in Alamosa, Colorado.