SILVER CITY, New Mexico - No. 17 Angelo State fell on the road to Western New Mexico in five sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 11-15) on Friday night.

The Belles slide to 13-5 overall and 5-4 in the Lone Star Conference after the loss. ASU had three players mark double-figure kills in Brianna Sotello (25), Anna Graham (17) and Bailey Drum (10). Along with recording a season high in kills, Sotello also chalked a season high 20 digs to assist the defense. This allowed for the senior to mark her ninth double-double on the season. The Mustangs improved to 5-12, 5-4 LSC with the win.    

Angelo State started of the first set with a strong 12-5 lead, however the Mustangs would close the gap with a 7-2 run. A pair of consecutive kills from Sotello and Morgan Seaton, who finished the night with nine total, followed by a WNMU error got the Belles back on track. This would only be brief as Western New Mexico would once again close the gap and tie the set at 20. Another pair of kills from Sotello and Seaton along with an ace from Micheala Sifuentes, who also led the Belles with 27 digs, pushed ASU back in front for the final time. Sotello would close out the set for the Belles firing in the final kill.

It was the Mustangs that came out firing at the beginning of the second set as it took a 5-3 lead. With a kill by Seaton, ASU began to work its way back into the lead. A timely block from Graham and Tulani Titley tied the set at five. This was the first of a team leading five total blocks for Graham and the second of four for Titley. ASU then increased its lead to three with 17-14 on the board, but WNMU fought back and regained as it embarked on a 7-2 run. Down 23-20, Eadara Files, the Belles assist leader for the night with 39, set up Sotello for a kill for an attempted rally that would fall short as the Mustangs brought the match to an even set each.

In the third set the two teams kept it close, until Western New Mexico jumped out in front 15-10. After a pair of consecutive WNMU points, a 7-0 run which was kicked off by a Titley kill turned the lead back over to the Belles. With three straight points the Mustangs were back in control, but ASU quickly responded with five of its own to secure the set win.

Despite taking an early lead in the fourth as it was looking to close out the match, the Belles would allow Western New Mexico to bring the match to an even two sets a piece. This forced a fifth tie breaker set, and ASU's Sotello would get things started with kill. ASU then added two more points off of a Mustang error and a Seaton, Graham block to give the Belles a 3-1 lead. WTAMU would respond and jump in front, 6-3, with a significant run. Consecutive big swings from Sotello, Graham and Drum tied the final set at six. The Mustangs, however, would regain the lead with a pair of kills and would hold off the Belles for the remainder, solidifying the win.

Angelo State now heads to Portales, New Mexico where it will continue its weekend road tour with Eastern New Mexico. The Greyhounds (7-12, 4-5 LSC) will be seeking to rebound after a sweep by No.15 Tarleton State.  First serve for this match is set for 7 p.m. (CST) / 6 p.m. (MST).