ODESSA, Texas — The Bronco volleyball team played well in several spots during Monday's conference matchup vs. Odessa, but not long enough or hard enough to top the No. 5-ranked Wranglers.

The 25-21, 25-14, 25-21 loss was a result of "playing scared," said coach Shelby Forchtner.

The host Wranglers (14-2, 3-0) put together several unanswered points early in Game 1, taking a lead they would never lose.

But NMMI (9-6, 2-1) never gave up. After trailing 12-9 at a time out, they fell back to 20-14, but then began to battle back, scoring six unanswered points on kills by Julia Johnson, Vittoria Price, Jalen Baca and a good tip, but a service error by Marian Ovalle sent the ball back to Odessa and six serves later they had Game 1.

The Institute lead early in Game 2, taking a 2-1 and 6-5 lead, then, after the Wranglers went up 9-6, neither side could do much of anything, with the serve bouncing back and forth and the game staying close. Finally, Wrangler Andrea Spasojevic tallied a pair of aces to take a 16-10 lead NMMI couldn't overcome.

NMMI never led in Game 3, falling behind 17-8, but then something seemed to spark in the visitors, as behind the serving of Price, they strung together six straight points to close the gap to 17-14 before finally giving up the last few Odessa points.

"(Freshman) Jalen Baca stepped in and did a good job, and Marian (Ovalle) did some good things on offense, but our sophomores were just average," Forchtner said of the effort.

Baca led the offense with 10 kills, and both Price and Johnson had six each, but as the team the Broncos only hit .190. Defensively, had a season high nine digs, trailing only Ovalle (12) and Tiffinay Gauspohl (10.)

Forchtner substituted freely in the match, with 12 NMMI  players seeing time on the floor.

The Broncos travel to Borger, Texas, Wednesday, to take on the 4-5, 1-1 Frank Phillips Plainsmen. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CST.