The Sam Houston State University volleyball team opened Conference USA play with a three-set loss to the UTEP Miners on Friday night.

The Bearkats steamed into play only losing one of their last five games, seeking their first win against UTEP since 1991. The Bearkats have lost their last four games played against the Miners.  

In the first set of the game, the Bearkats and the Miners exchanged three lead changes and were tied a total of four times. Despite the early exchanges, UTEP was able to pull away with a nine-point lead, ending the first set 25-16 on a Bearkat error. 

In set two, the Bearkats attempted to tie the match, but the 13 errors they committed would be their downfall of this losing set. UTEP was able to pull ahead developing an 11-point lead, ending the set 25-14 on a Bearkat error. 

Jumping into set three, the Bearkats were able to take advantage of the Miners’ three errors in the beginning of the set. The Bearkats also went on a 4-0 scoring run, fighting for a win. Even with the Bearkats’ flashes in this set, the Miners were able to pull away once again, winning the last set of the match 25-18 on another Bearkat error. 

The Bearkats aim to break their losing streak against the Miners in a conference game Saturday in the Johnson Coliseum at 1 p.m.