CARROLLTON, Texas - Texas A&M International (2-11) split their first two games of the Heartland Conference Pre-Season Tournament on Friday.

Match One

In the first match of the day, the Dustdevils took down Newman (1-9) in four sets, 3-1 (25-14, 25-16, 18-25, 25-21). TAMIU opened the first set on an 8-1 run and never trailed. They eventually took the 25-14 decision.

The second set was little more tightly contested early on. Both squad traded points until the Dustdevils broke out on a 10-0 run to take a 21-11 lead, taking the set 25-16.

Newman refused to go quietly as they took the lead to stay at 7-6 in the third set. The Jets managed to avoid the three-set sweep thanks in large part to a 7-0 run. They claimed the set 25-18.

The fourth and final set was a back-and-forth affair as neither team trailed by more than four points midway through the frame. However, TAMIU took control of the game with a 10-1 run to take a 21-16 lead. Newman tried to mount a comeback late but failed, as the Dustdevils won the match with a 25-21 decision.

Match Two

In the second match of the day, TAMIU pushed Dallas Baptist (7-5) to the brink, but came up just short in a five-set thriller (19-25, 27-25, 21-25, 29-27, 12-15). The first set saw the Dustdevils jump out to and maintain an early at 10-8. However, the Patriots battled back and went on a 5-1 run to claim a 14-11 advantage. DBU closed out the set on a 4-0 run to take it 25-19.

The second set began in a similar fashion as TAMIU led up to 12-8, but an 8-3 run by the Patriots put DBU in front 16-15. The Dustdevils refused to quit as they battled to tie things up at 23 apiece. From there, the teams matched each other point for point until the Dustdevils came out on top 27-25.

The Patriots shook off the loss in the previous frame by opening the third set on a 6-1 run. TAMIU fought to tie it up at 9-9 and kept the score close the rest of the set, but was never able to claim the lead. DBU took the set 25-21.

The Patriots looked to seal the lead early again in the fourth set with a 6-2 run. However, the Dustdevils had other plans as they took the lead at 11-10. DBU answer back with another 6-1 run, reclaiming the lead 18-14. Again, TAMIU battled and retook the lead to stay at 24-23. They forced a deciding fifth set with a 29-27 decision.

In the fifth and final set, the Dustdevils looked primed to take the victory with an early 5-2 lead. Unfortunately, the lead would not hold as DBU stole the advantage at 9-8. They would take the match thanks in large part to a 7-1 run and win with a 15-12 decision.

TAMIU will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, Sept. 15 as they face off against St. Edward's in the final day of the tournament.