PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 2, 2022) – The Wyoming Cowgirls stumbled in four sets in their opener at the Grand Canyon Classic Friday evening in Phoenix as UW's comeback came up short, 21-25, 20-25, 25-17 and 23-25.

Santa Clara (2-2) made its mark on the match in the latter stages of sets one and four. The Broncos won the first set behind the strength of a 5-1 run after trailing 21-20. SCU was then able to close-out the contest going on a 3-0 run in the fourth, coming-from-behind at 23-22.

For the fourth consecutive match, Corin Carruth led the Cowgirls (0-4) in kills as she tallied 12 in the loss and hit .323. Kayla Mazzocca had her best match of the young season Friday, tallying 10 kills on just 14 swings for a .714 hitting percentage. Mazzocca also tied for the team lead with three total blocks and added a pair of service aces on the night. UW got its service game going in the contest, notching a season-best 12 aces. Carruth led the way in that category as well, as she recorded a career-high five service aces. Kasia Partyka and Hailey Zuroske each added two apiece.

Partyka led the way for Wyoming in the match with 30 assists and also had three blocks. Zuroske, meanwhile, tied a match-high with 19 digs on the evening. KC McMahon chipped in with seven digs, six kills and also added three blocks and an ace for the Brown and Gold.

For the match, the Cowgirls hit just .165 while Santa Clara hit .239 as a team. The Broncos were better with the attack, but Wyoming held a 9-5 edge in team blocks and also notched seven more service aces despite the loss.

The Cowgirls look to bounce back Saturday in a pair of matches to close the GCU Classic. Wyoming faces Idaho at 11 a.m., MT tomorrow before closing against host-Grand Canyon at 8 p.m.

-WYO-