LAREDO, Texas – Heartland Conference rivals collided at the Texas A&M International University Kinesiology and Convocation Building on Thursday, as the Dustdevils and Newman answered each other in a four-set game featuring 27 score-tying plays and 11 different lead changes. Eventually the Jets escaped with the victory, 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19).

"We've been searching and searching and searching," TAMIU coach Marlon Sano said. "And I think we are finally starting to find where and how we all fit together and what our roles are. That's, in turn, bringing out our strengths.

"We let the second game get away from us, and that hurt, but overall we played a much better game. Our team showed more fight and sustained that fight until the end. We were steady and that showed in our serve-receive system and in our comfortability on defense."

On offense, senior slugger Alex Ciszek led the way with 13 kills and an ace for 14 points. Miaje Hubbard had 11 kills and a block for 11.5 points and Tasmin Apple killed off nine points.

Senior defensive specialist Sophia Quinones registered seven kills while both Lizzie Prieto and Samantha Gonzalez had five kills apiece. Prieto set up a game-high 36 assists – all but 11 of TAMIU's team total.

Prieto also joined Alejandra Bustamante with more than 20 digs. Prieto led the Dustdevils with 27 while Bustamante had 24. Ciszek was right behind with 19 while Quinones had 17.

The Dustdevils (0-11, 0-5 Heartland) next host Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday at noon at the TAMIU KCB.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Adam Geigerman,
Sports Information Director and Promotions Specialist
956-326-3007
AdamS.Geigerman@TAMIU.edu
www.GoDustdevils.com