YUMA, Ariz. -- The Yavapai College volleyball team and Arizona Western College Matadors battled as they had all season long on Wednesday night: tough and to the end. Unfortunately, for the Roughriders, the Matadors emerged victorious in five sets and move on to the district championship match. 

A rocky start to the match ensued in set one as the Roughriders found themselves in an 11-5 hole early. Later in the set, however, Yavapai clawed its way back in and after a kill from sophomore right hitter Samantha Holman, the Roughriders trailed 23-21. Arizona Western followed by taking two of the next four points and won 25-23, taking a 1-0 lead in the match. 

Set two was a much better start for Yavapai as freshman setter Brooke Parker opened the frame with a pair of aces and after some ferocious kills from freshman outside hitters Kierslynn Wright and Sophia Parlanti, the Roughriders found themselves with an early lead. 

As they did all night, the Matadors responded and eventually built an 18-14 lead. Never wavering on the other side, Yavapai tallied five-consecutive points to take the lead and after another Parker ace to take a 22-21 lead, the Roughriders delivered a 25-22 victory to tie the match. 

Set three was truly a battle by the two squads as neither team led by more than four, later resulting in a 22-22 tie. Arizona Western took the next three points and took a 2-1 lead in the match with the 25-22 victory. 

With their backs against the wall, the Roughriders responded with their best play of the match and dominated in set four, led by excellent blocking from sophomore middle blockers Paiten Langston and Keyaira Gravitt. Up 23-16, fellow sophomore middle blocker Savannah McEwan got in on the block party and paved the way for a 25-16 victory. 

With the region championship match coming down to a set-five victory, Yavapai fell behind early and was unable to recover. Down 10-5 at one point, the Roughriders cut the lead to 14-10, however, in the shortened set, the Matadors tallied the game-winner with a 15-10 set final and 3-2 match final. 

Yavapai concludes its season with a seventh-consecutive appearance in the region playoffs and a 14-13 record.