Volleyball suffers first conference defeat in 3-2 loss to Glendale

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 16 ranked Arizona Western Lady Matadors Volleyball team (17-5, 7-1) saw its ACCAC winning streak come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Glendale (8-4, 6-3) on Wednesday night at the House Gymnasium.

Amanda Juliao led the Lady Matadors with 18 kills while Evelyn Trivino tallied 38 assists in the loss. Aly Reeser recorded 17 digs in the Lady Matadors' first conference loss of the season.

Glendale opened the first set by scoring three of the first four sets before the Lady Matadors went on a 3-0 scoring run to take a 4-3 lead. The 4-3 advantage was the only lead the Lady Matadors would have in the first set as Glendale built a lead as large as three points and took the opening set 25-21.

The Lady Matadors jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the second set and would allow just 13 points in the second set, pulling away from the Gauchos for a 25-13 win in the second set. The two teams traded points in the third set with the Lady Matadors tying the set at 15-15 before Glendale used a 3-0 scoring run to take an 18-15 lead, going on to take the fourth set 25-21.

Arizona Western scored eight of the first nine points in the fourth set to build an 8-1 lead. Glendale inched to within six on two occasions before a run put the Lady Matadors 21-11 after a Ma'o Lauhingoa ace. Glendale used a 7-0 scoring run to climb back to within seven points before an Amanda Juliao kill gave the Lady Matadors a 25-18 win, forcing a fifth set.

Glendale opened the fifth set by scoring the first four points before the Lady Matadors scored five straight points to grab a 5-0 lead. Arizona Western was forced to call a timeout after the Gaucho jumped back in front 8-5 when the teams switched sides. After trailing 11-6, the Lady Matadors put together a 4-0 scoring run to close to within a point at 11-10. The Lady Matadors tied the fifth set at 13-13 thanks to a Glendale scoring error which forced the Gauchos to call a timeout. Glendale came out of the timeout and scored four of the next six points to win the final set 17-15.

The Lady Matadors are back in action on Friday, October 6, hosting Yavapai 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.