Western Texas Earns First Conference Victory Over Amarillo

Snyder, TX - Western Texas volleyball (9-13, 1-4 WJCAC) won their first conference game against the Amarillo Badgers, (9-12, 2-3 WJCAC) on Wednesday, 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16), 3-1. 

The Westerners suited up Wednesday evening for what would be their last home game for nearly a month. Western Texas volleyball started conference play with four consecutive home games against Odessa, Frank Phillips, Midland and New Mexico Military Institute. Before the long away schedule, Western Texas squared off against the Badgers. Amarillo entered Wednesday 2-2 in conference with their most recent appearance being a sweep victory over Clarendon. 

The Badgers and Westerners were equally matched to start the night with the back and forth affair tied, 10-10. Western Texas had an answer for the strong spikes of Amarillio with an incredible diving dig from Sydney Roberts to earn their 13th point, 13-12. It would be competitive late into the first set with each side at 18-points apiece. It was an intense thriller to close out the first 25-points with the matchup at game point for Amarillo. The Badgers would profit from an error reception and take the first set, 23-25. 

Amarillo controlled the majority of the second set as Western Texas played from behind. Midway through, the home team found themselves down six but fought hard, 12-18. On a great block from Kyra Levassar and Anastasija Andjelic, the Westerners came within one score, 18-19. Western Texas tied the score from a kill by Andjelic to pressure Amarillo, 20-20. Anayah Sinclair went up and solo blocked a strike to take the Westerners first lead of the second set, 21-20. Western Texas finished off the incredible comeback to go from down seven to set victory, 25-22. 

The tie breaker set saw a back and forth battle throughout. Western Texas found themselves down once again but a block from Sinclair and an ace from Roberts put them on top, 11-10. The Westerners found a groove late in the third set with a five point advantage. Maja Ludyga leapt at the net for a block solo to put her team up six, 22-16. Western Texas took the third set to take a match lead 2-1, 25-16. 

The home team carried their momentum into the fourth set as they quickly earned a five point edge, 6-1. Western Texas began to get in a rhythm with a seven point lead that forced Amarillo to call a timeout, 13-6. The Westerners grew their lead to eight late in the fourth and final set, 23-15. Western Texas cemented their first conference victory of the year against Amarillo, 25-16.  

UP NEXT: The Westerners will play their next seven games on the road starting with New Mexico Junior College on Saturday, October 5th. The match will begin at 2pm MDT. 

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