LAREDO, Texas – The Heartland Conference opened its season in a swirl with a five-set thriller between Texas A&M International and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building on Thursday. The Falcons survived the showdown, edging the Dustdevils, 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-15, 15-8).

No more than 10 points separated the teams in any set, with the Falcons (1-0, 1-0 Heartland) and Dustdevils (0-1, 0-1 Heartland) alternating sets until the end.

"I thought we passed well and defended okay," TAMIU coach Marlon Sano said. "At times we served very well, but we weren't tough enough consistently.

"Lizzie Prieto was a warrior for us, and Alejandra Bustamante played well with Tasmin Apple and Caitlinn Williams standing out at the net."

A pair of Dustdevil newcomers led the attack in Miaje Hubbard and Apple. They combined to smash 28 of TAMIU's 54 total kills. Alex Ciszek and Williams each knotched eight kills, while Laredo products Prieto and Samantha Gonzalez had six and four, respectively. Ciszek and Williams also aced a trio of serves each, Sophia Quinones had two aces and Prieto punched one.

The Dustdevils attack pivoted primarily on Prieto, who delivered 46 assists; TAMIU recorded just six assists without Prieto's involvement.

Defensively, Quinones stood strongest with 23 digs – 11 more than the next Dustdevil, Ciszek with 12. Prieto helped on defense with six digs and Bustamante, Koral Wright and Willaims each recorded five.

UTPB attacked for a .245 percentage with a trio of hitters recording 10 kills apiece.

The Dustdevils return to action with a Heartland high-noon showdown against Lubbock Christian (1-0, 1-0 Heartland) on Saturday at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. 

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