Sept. 24, 2011

Final Stats

In the most thrilling home match of the season so far, Sophomore Miranda Pratt led the Texas A&M International women's volleyball team to a 3-2 win over visiting U.T. Permian Basin (25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12). The win gave the Dustdevils their third consecutive win over a conference opponent, improving their conference record to 3-1 (6-8 overall).

"I think we came into this match a bit underestimated," said Pratt. "I think today it was very clear that we are playing at a higher level than we ever have before. This team really pushed us and the fact that we were able to defend against them says a lot about us." Desiree Ortiz once again played a pivotal role in TAMIU's defensive effort finishing with a game high 29 digs. "This team is one of the tougher opponents we've had all season," said Ortiz. "Going into the fifth set we told ourselves we weren't going to let up or settle for anything but a win."

Pratt threw down a season high 22 kills finishing with a stellar .404 attack percentage; she also had 9 digs nearly missing out on a double-double. Junior setter Daria Winckler was all over the court picking up a game high 60 assists and adding 19 digs. Freshman sensation Alex Ciszek finished with a double-double, 16 kills and 13 digs, while junior Jacuelynne Matula had another solid performance with 11 kills and five digs.

In the opening set TAMIU got off to a slow start, finding themselves trailing 13-17 at the halfway mark. The Dustdevils would rally behind two four-point service rallies by Ciszek and Matula, taking 12 of the next 14 points. Pratt would end the 25-19 set on a kill set up by Winckler to put TAMIU up 1-0.

The second frame looked promising with TAMIU leading UTPB 11-8 but the Falcons came on strong fighting back to a 21-21 tie. The Dustdevils lost four of the next five points, dropping the set 25-22 and evening the match at 1-1.

In game three, the home team would once again find themselves in an early hole trailing 2-6. TAMIU was able to fight back however, tying the game at 10 and never surrendering the lead from that point. Ciszek wrapped up the 25-21 set blasting a kill past the Falcons defense giving TAMIU a 2-1 advantage.

The fourth game was the Dustdevils' most frustrating of the match falling into an early 4-10 deficit. Try as they might, TAMIU was never able to recapture the momentum dropping the set 20-25 and pushing the match into the fifth and final game.

In the final set, TAMIU rocketed to a 6-1 start but watched as UTPB whittled away at their advantage, bringing the score to 14-12. Pratt once again came through, finishing off the Falcons with a kill set up by Winckler giving the Dustdevils the set 15-12 and the match 3-2.

Two more games remain on TAMIU's home stand as they host Incarnate Word Monday and St. Mary's on Wednesday.