Volleyball finishes Coyotes Classic by splitting final two matches

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 16 ranked Arizona Western College Lady Matadors Volleyball team (14-4) wrapped up the Lady Coyote Classic with a 3-0 win over the hosts Southern Nevada and a 3-1 loss to Utah State Eastern on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas.

Arizona Western got off to a fast start, opening a 13-6 lead in the first set, and went on to take the opener 25-15. The Lady Matadors were able to fight off the Coyotes in the second set, building a lead late for a 25-19 win, and then battled back to take the third and final set 31-29, outlasting the Coyotes.

Ma'o Lauhingoa led the Lady Matadors with 12 kills while Evelyn Trivino recorded 38 assists in the three-set win.

Arizona Western fell behind two sets to none in the second match of the day to No. 14 ranked Utah State Eastern, losing the first set 25-16 before dropping the second set 25-21. The Lady Matadors rounded to stay alive in the match with a 25-18 win in the third set before dropping the fourth and final set by the same score.

Trivino led the way for the Lady Matadors with 40 assists in the second match loss while three Lady Matadors finished in double figures in kills, led by both Gabriela Martensson and Jazmin Cuellar who each had 11. Amanda Juliao finished with 10 kills and nine digs in the loss.

The Lady Matadors are back home on Wednesday, September 27, hosting Central Arizona in an ACCAC matchup at 7:00 p.m. at the House Gymnasium. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors while Arizona Western College students get in free with their AWC ID.