WICHITA, Kan. - Texas A&M International (2-16, 1-3 HC) won its first Heartland Conference match since 2016 in a thrilling 3-2 fashion (26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 15-25, 15-11) over Newman (1-17, 0-4 HC) on Saturday.

Annie Deininger paced the squad with 12 kills, as well as two blocks, two digs and an assist. Allison Wade and Mackenzie Catalina each logged nine kills, with Wade adding seven digs and a block and Catalina adding five digs and three blocks. Lacy Asdourian led the Dustdevils on the defensive side of things with 18 digs, in addition to three assists and a service ace.

This was possibly the most tightly contested match of the year so far for TAMIU. They opened the first set looking strong, starting off on an 8-3 run. However, the Jets battled back to tie things at 11-11, and took their first lead at 12-11. The Dustdevils punched back retaking the lead at 17-14. NU tried to rally tying the score at 17-17 and couldn't seem to complete the comeback, until they managed to force set point at 24-23. TAMIU refused to go down easily rallying themselves to a 3-0 run and taking the set 26-24.

The second set swapped the momentum from the opening frame, as the Jets led for most of the set after starting on a 5-2 run. The Dustdevils kept it close and, thanks to a 6-1 run, took the lead at 18-16. From there, they didn't trail and went up 2-0 with a 25-22 decision.

It looked as though TAMIU would roll in the third set as they once again jumped out to an early lead at 6-2. However, NU kept grinding and eventually tied it at 13-13. The Jets managed to take their first lead of the set late at 18-17, and avoided the sweep by taking the set 25-20.

The fourth set seemed to be the closest set of the match early as both teams traded points early. Newman managed to break out thanks to a 3-0 run and took a 12-8 lead. The Jets took control of the set from there and forced a fifth set with a 25-15 decision. 

Looking to bounce back from the fourth set, the Dustdevils took a 5-2 lead early. Newman refused to go down though, as they took the lead at 6-5. However, TAMIU rallied and regained the advantage at 7-6 and controlled things the rest of the way, claiming the match and the set 15-11.

The Dustdevils will return home for the final five-game homestand of the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 11 as they play host to Dallas Baptist at 7 p.m.