SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team fell in straight sets to the Western New Mexico University Mustangs on Saturday night. The loss dropped the Lions to 10-8 on the season and 4-4 in the Lone Star Conference.
 
The set scores were 25-12, 25-16, 25-17. A&M-Commerce will begin a three-match home stand Friday at 5 p.m. at the Field House against West Texas A&M.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Taryn Driver led the Lions with nine kills on 26 attempts.
- Gabriela Rosa and Rylie Fuentes each dished out 13 assists.
- Savannah Rutledge had 14 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
WNMU jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the first set. The Lions kept pace with the Mustangs, keeping the deficit at just four at 14-10. Rosa assisted on three kills in five points to keep the Lions in the match early with assists to Driver, Layne Little and Jaryn Wacker. However, the Mustangs went on to score 11 of the next 13 points to take the first set.
 
The Mustangs again jumped out to a quick lead in the second set, going up 7-2. The Lions roared back, cutting the lead to 10-9. Little had a kill and then a block in back-to-back plays to give the Lions momentum. Driver had four kills in the set but the Lions fell behind again, losing the last six points.
 
The Lions put up a tough battle in the third set, trading points with the Mustangs for much of the set. Bina Njikam had back-to-back kills early in the set, on her way to three kills in the final set. Errors on both sides kept the game even. However, with the score at 11-10, WNMU went on to score 14 of the last 21 points to win the match 3-0.