LAREDO, Texas (September 15, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Volleyball team travels to Magnolia, Arkansas for the 2017 Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational this weekend. The Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational is hosted by Southern Arkansas University. The Dustdevils begin play at 12:00 p.m. against the University of Arkansas - Monticello. 

TAMIU comes off a five-game road trip that saw the Dustdevils pick up their first win of the 2017 season. TAMIU took Clark Atlanta to five sets, defeating the Panthers 3-2. The Georgia road trip continued with four games at the Emmanuel College Volleyball Tournament where the Dustdevils were dealt losses against Union (TN) (0-3), Southern Wesleyan (2-3), Alabama Huntsville (0-3), and Emmanuel College (1-3).  

DR. MARGARET DOWNING INVITATIONAL
Southern Arkansas University is hosting the Inaugural Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational at the W.T. Watson Center in Magnolia, Arkansas. It will be the first time Southern Arkansas hosts a regular season tournament in more than 12 years. 

THE SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 15, 2017
TAMIU vs. Arkansas-Monticello    12:00 p.m.  STATS    VIDEO
TAMIU vs. Southern Arkansas        6:00 p.m.  STATS    VIDEO

Saturday, September 16, 2017
TAMIU vs. Grambling State            9:00 a.m.    STATS    VIDEO
TAMIU vs. Mississippi College       11:00 a.m.   STATS    VIDEO 

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
TAMIU joins Grambling State, the University of Arkansas- Monticello, and Mississippi College as visiting teams for the Inaugural tournament. The Dustdevils will take on Grambling State and Mississippi College for the first time in program history.

Grambling State comes into the weekend 2-7 after picking up wins against Tougaloo College (MS) and Jarvis Christian College. 

Mississippi College enters the weekend at 3-4 and are led by Shelby Grace Mays, Kayana Mitchell, and Krista Zieschang. 

TAMIU will open play in the tournament against the University of Arkansas - Monticello. TAMIU last faced Arkansas-Monticello in 2015 where they lost a five set match 2-3. Arkansas-Monticello enters the weekend with a 4-4 overall record. The Dustdevils and Arkansas-Monticello have played five contests with TAMIU holding a 3-2 advantage all-time. 

TAMIU will face a familiar opponent when they take on host, Southern Arkansas University on Friday evening. The Dustdevils and Muleriders will square off at 6 p.m. on Friday after facing eachother just two weeks ago at the South Central Classic in Durant, Oklahoma. TAMIU fell in the match 1-3. The Muleriders and Dustdevils will play for the third time in program history with Southern Arkansas leading 2-0 all-time. 

DUSTDEVIL LEADERS:
Offensively, the Dustdevils are led by Panebi Shirey, Ronnie Fountain, and Yuliia Hupkovska while Lacy Asdourian and Shirey lead the Dustdevils defensively. 

KILLS: (73)    Panebi Shirey
ASSISTS: (235) Ronnie Fountain
ACES: (15) Yuliia Hupkovska
DIGS: (94) Lacy Asdourian
BLOCKS: (17) Panebi Shirey

STAY TUNED:
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