SAN ANTONIO, Texas (October 11, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Volleyball team concludes a two-week, three-game road trip on Thursday in San Antonio. The Dustdevils will face off with St. Mary's University with first serve set for 7 p.m.

TAMIU comes into Thursday's match 0-2 on the road trip after falling to Heartland Conference leader, Arkansas-Fort Smith (0-3) and Newman University (0-3). Through 19 games this season, TAMIU sits at 2-17 overall and 0-5 in Heartland Conference action. The Dustdevils have won a pair of five-set matches but have been unable to get back into the win column since a 3-2 win over Arkansas-Monticello. 

SCOUTING THE RATTLERS:
St. Mary's comes into Thursday's match as the Heartland Conference's second ranked team. The Rattlers currently sit in a tie with Newman University at 3-2. StMU is 8-9 through 17 games thus far in the 2017 season. The Rattlers have won three of their last five matches but suffered a 0-3 loss to UAFS on October 7. 

Channing Hankins, Bree Perry, and Monica Ramon pace the Rattlers offensively. Hankins leads the team with 208 kills while Perry has tallied 565 assists through 17 games. Ramon leads the Rattlers with 20 aces. Ramon and also accounts for the most digs with a team leading 308. Jaycie Pluenneke and MacKenzie Harless serve as the Rattlers top blockers. Pluenneke has a team high 48 while Harless has tallied 47 blocks. 

The Rattlers dealt TAMIU a pair of losses in the 2016 campaign with the last matchup coming on November 10, 2016. The Dustdevils would fall 0-3 in that match. The teams have faced off 24 times with the all-time series tied at 12 games a side. 

THE HEARTLAND CONFERENCE TODAY:
As of Wednesday morning Arkansas-Fort Smith holds the top spot as they Lions look to defend their 2016 title. St. Mary's and Newman sit at 3-2 in conference play and sit tied for second place. Lubbock Christian holds the fourth spot with a 3-3 record. St. Edward's and Dallas Baptist sit at 2-3, one spot ahead of the Dustdevils. 

DUSTDEVIL LEADERS:
Not much has changed among the Dustdevil leaders as five Dustdevils continue to lead the team. Leah McManus leads the team with 144 kills while Ronnie Fountain leads the team with 472 assists. Yuliia Hupkovska holds the top ace number, tallying 18 thus far. Lacy Asdourian and Panebi Shirey continue to anchor the Dustdevils defensively. Asdourian has 241 digs this season and Shirey leads the team with 41 blocks. 

KILLS:        (144)    Leah McManus
ASSISTS:   (472)    Ronnie Fountain
ACES:        (18)        Yuliia Hupkovska
DIGS:          (241)    Lacy Asdourian
BLOCKS:    (41)        Panebi Shirey

UP NEXT:
The Dustdevils have Saturday off before returning home to host St. Edward's and Dallas Baptist. TAMIU will host the Hilltoppers in the KCB on Thursday, October 19 for the annual Dig Pink Match. First serve from Laredo is set for 7 p.m.

STAY TUNED:
Stay up to date with the Dustdevils all season long by liking or following @TAMIUAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.