Las Vegas, N.M.,  Western Colorado battled through five sets on the road at New Mexico Highlands but came up short, falling 3–2 (21–25, 19–25, 25–13, 25–23, 6–15).

• In the opening set, Western jumped out to an early lead behind kills from Kyra Kidd and Liv Marshall, but a series of service errors and a late Highlands surge handed the frame to NMHU, 25–21.
• The Mountaineers again started strong in the second, with Anuhea Kaalele and Galatia Andrew sparking a quick 4–1 lead, but Highlands went on a long service run to pull away 25–19 and take a 2–0 match advantage.
• Western responded in dominant fashion in the third, cruising to a 25–13 win behind Kaalele's serving run that included three aces and several key kills from Olive Rolseth and Kidd.
• The Mountaineers kept momentum in the fourth, rallying late behind Marshall's clutch attacks and a service ace that sealed a 25–23 victory to even the match.
• In the decisive fifth set, Western took an early 2–0 lead after kills by Breanna Nohava and Rolseth, but Highlands capitalized on errors to finish the match 15–6.

• Kaalele led Western with 13 kills, 20 assists, four aces, and three blocks. Marshall and Rolseth each tallied 11 kills, while Kidd added seven kills and six blocks. Setter Kaira Willits posted 19 assists and 16 digs as Western dropped to 1–18 overall and 0–9 in RMAC play.