Sept. 26, 2011
Final Stats
In an uncharacteristic performance, the Texas A&M International University volleyball team was swept by the visiting Incarnate Word Cardinals 0-3 Monday night(22-25, 18-25, 18-25). The loss comes as a shock for the Dustdevils who were able to sweep the Cardinals earlier this season. The home team struggled to find a rhythm the entire match finishing with 31 unforced errors. TAMIU remains 3-1 in conference play but their overall record slips to 6-9.
"It's tough to win when you give other teams hope and confidence," said Head Coach Al Givens. "We averaged over 10 errors per set tonight; we are good enough to overcome one of our players having an off night, but when several struggle that makes things more difficult."
Freshman Katrina Zenz led TAMIU with eight kills on the night. Miranda Pratt, Andrea Marshall and Daria Winckler followed with seven kills each. Winckler once again led the team in assists with 28, while Desiree Ortiz finished with a team high 21 digs.
Despite Incarnate Word jumping out to an 8-12 advantage in the opening set, the game was ripe for the taking. TAMIU rallied and a big kill by Winckler tied the game at 15. Each time it seemed the home team would capture the lead, the visiting Cardinals would find a way to extend their advantage. At 19-22 coach Givens called a timeout to rally the troops. The move seemed to pay off with TAMIU bringing the score back to 21-22 thanks to a kill by sophomore Miranda Pratt, but the Cardinals would not relinquish the lead and took the first set 25-22.
In the second frame the Dustdevils scored the opening point taking a 1-0 lead... it was the only time in the match they would find themselves out in front. IWU rattled off the next five straight points putting TAMIU in a 1-5 hole. The home team did their best to claw their way back in, fighting to a 10-15 score at the halfway point, but two service errors by TAMIU late in the match gave Incarnate Word the set 18-25 and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Dustdevils once again started slow in the third set, but managed to tie the game at 11 with a well timed kill from Andrea Marshall. The resilient Cardinals took 10 of the next 13 points, breaking the Dustdevils spirit. The visitors would close out the final set 18-25. "I hope we learn the lesson from tonight's match which is we always have to be ready to compete," coach Givens said. "When you start playing not to lose instead of playing to win, it will always hurt you."
TAMIU is now 2-1 in their four game home stand with one game remaining on Wednesday. The ladies will host the dangerous St. Mary's Rattlers, who boast a 12-1 overall record (3-1 conference).
