CASPER – After opening the Region IX North Tournament with a straight-sets win on Wednesday, the Western Wyoming Mustangs faced Casper on Thursday. WWCC jumped up early and never looked back beating the home team in four to move on.

The first set started with both teams trading points. A Cassidee Lish kill sparked Western as they took an 11-7 advantage. The Mustangs were able to maintain a small lead throughout. Casper pulled within two late, 21-19 but a big Lauryn Dela Cruz kill pushed them over the top as WWCC took game one, 25-22.

The start of the second set went back and forth as well. With the game tied at 11, Western was able to score four straight to give them some breathing room. Casper came storming back to cut the Mustang lead to one 21-20 but tough serving by Ashley Hill gave them a little room and eventually the win, 25-22.

Trying to avoid defeat, Casper College came out on fire in the third. CC was able to jump up 10-5 and Western could never overcome the deficit to fall in the third 25-18.

Casper and Western were even to open the fourth set. After tying the game at 3, the Mustangs went on a 7-1 run to take a six-point advantage, 10-4. Once they had Casper on the ropes, Western kept them there and rolled to a 25-15 win in the fourth and a three sets to one win over Casper.

Also winning on Thursday was top seed Northwest who rolled in straight sets over Central on Thursday. This has set up the matchup everyone has been waiting for, WWCC vs. Northwest. The teams split in regular season play, both teams winning on the other’s home court. The games starts at 4 p.m. with the winner moving into the finals. The loser of the match will still have a shot at the Championship but will have to play an extra match to get there.