CANYON, Texas – The #15 Lady Buffs ran their home win streak to 15 matches on Saturday afternoon as they topped the St. Mary's Rattlers (19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-15) in Lone Star Conference action on Senior Day at the WTAMU Fieldhouse "The Box" in Canyon.
 
WT opened the first set with a solid start, earning the initial point through a kill by Kaycee Cavanaugh, assisted by Bromli Watson. The home team maintained a close contest with consistent contributions from Emma Becker, who recorded multiple kills throughout the set. Despite these efforts, the set remained tightly contested.
 
As the set progressed, the Lady Buffs faced a series of challenges from St. Mary's, including a string of points that saw the visiting team pull ahead. Key defensive plays by Taytum Stow, with blocks assisted by Cavanaugh and Becker, helped the Lady Buffs stay competitive and close the gap towards the end. However, St. Mary's ultimately took the first set 25-19, overcoming the Lady Buffs' efforts to maintain momentum and concluding the set with a six-point advantage.
 
The Lady Buffs began the second set with a decisive momentum shift, marked by Currie Marusak's early kill, which was part of a series of successful attacks that put the home team ahead. Casey Loewer's consistent setting facilitated a sequence of scoring plays, including contributions from Stow and Marusak, extending the lead to 10-6. A key block by Marusak and Parker Gladhill added to the defensive effort.
 
St. Mary's responded by narrowing the gap multiple times, but the Lady Buffs maintained composure with crucial points from Cavanaugh and Becker. Despite a late push from the visitors, including a service ace, the Lady Buffs closed the set effectively. Marusak secured the final point with a kill, concluding the set at 25-21, maintaining their lead in the contest.
 
The third set commenced with St. Mary's gaining an early advantage, capitalizing on a few attack errors from Becker to lead 3-0. Stow's consecutive kills, assisted by Loewer, helped the Lady Buffs close the gap to 4-3, maintaining pressure on the visitors. Despite St. Mary's extending their lead to 10-5, the Lady Buffs responded with a series of kills from Marusak and Cavanaugh, aided by Watson's setting, cutting the deficit to 13-11. A service error from St. Mary's allowed the Lady Buffs to draw level at 16-16.
 
In the final stretch, the Lady Buffs seized control, with Cavanaugh and Becker's kills pushing the home team ahead. A service ace and a decisive kill by Stow clinched the set for the Lady Buffs, closing out with a 25-21 score.
 
The Lady Buffs entered the fourth set with determination, quickly taking the lead with kills from Becker and Cavanaugh, assisted by Hannah Pemberton and Watson. Despite St. Mary's briefly tying the score, the Lady Buffs regained momentum through consecutive plays, including a service ace and a block by Gladhill and Watson, extending their advantage to 14-7.
 
As the set progressed, Stow and Marusak contributed key kills, while defensive efforts from Cavanaugh and Gladhill kept the opposition at bay. The Lady Buffs capitalized on attack errors from St. Mary's, pushing their lead to 21-12. The set concluded with Cavanaugh delivering a decisive kill, securing a 25-15 victory in the fourth set. This result closed the match in favor of the Lady Buffs.
 
Marusak contributed with 16 kills and 20 digs, leading the team's defensive efforts. Becker added 18 kills and recorded 19 digs, providing a strong presence on both offense and defense. Stow hit .333 with 12 kills and contributed two blocks. Loewer facilitated the offense with 26 assists and chipped in four digs.
 
Taylor Alston led St. Mary's with 16 kills and a .268 hitting percentage, contributing 17 points. Alyssa Koehl excelled defensively, recording 23 digs over four sets. Haleigh Wilk was pivotal in setting, delivering 22 assists. Laurene Robinson added both offensive and defensive support with 10 kills, 17 digs, and six total blocks. Dallasstar Johnson was a force at the net with eight total blocks.
 
The Lady Buffs close out the regular season next weekend as they hit the road to take on Cameron and Oklahoma Christian starting in Lawton on Friday afternoon with first serve against the Aggies set for 4:00 p.m.