SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -  New Mexico Highlands opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play Friday evening dropping a 3-0 decisiom to Westminster University at Behnken Field House.

The Griffins took the match 25-15, 27-25, 25-13, dropping the Cowgirls to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in RMAC play.

New Mexico Highlands battled Westminster throughout the second set, rallying from a 17-10 deficit and eventually pulling even at 23-23. Aziza Morris recorded three kills during the closing stretch as the Cowgirls twice fought off opportunities for Westminster to close out the set before the Griffins prevailed 27-25.

Morris tied a season high with 12 kills while hitting .375 to lead the New Mexico Highlands attack. Lea Süsoy added seven kills and Elise Fourt finished with five. Naya Dornic paced the Cowgirls defensively with 14 digs.

New Mexico Highlands finished with 27 kills and a .119 hitting percentage.

The Cowgirls will have just over 19 hours to regroup before returning to the court Saturday afternoon against Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction. The Mavericks, 3-0 winners over Adams State on Friday, were among the teams receiving votes in the most recent AVCA Division II Top 25 Poll.