ODESSA, Texas -Â Texas A&M International volleyball (1-2) fell in a close 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 19-25) match to Westminster (2-1) to close out the Dr. Steve Aicinena Invitational on Saturday.
Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with her first double-double of the season with 15 kills and 22 digs, in addition to a block and an ace. Annie Deininger also logged double-digit kills with 10 kills as well as two blocks and a dig. Carly Unruh added nine kills, five digs, two blocks and an ace. Maison Kosse contributed 31 assists with 14 digs, two kills and a block.
TAMIU open the match with a 4-1 lead early. However, the Griffins quickly found their footing and raced out on a 7-1 run to take a 8-5 lead. The Dustdevils steadied themselves and answered with a 5-0 run of their own to retake the lead 10-8. Westminster kept grinding and managed to tie things at 14-14, but a 7-3 run put TAMIU back out in front 21-17. They eventually took the set 25-21.
The second set was tightly contested to start with six ties. The Griffins managed to separate themselves with a 4-0 run to take 15-12 lead. The Dustdevils continued to battle and eventually tied things again at 19-19. Things became close again as there were two more ties before Westminster ran off on a 4-0 run to claim the set 25-21.
After the break, TAMIU looked to have regained the momentum as they opened the third set on a 7-2 run. However, the Griffins dug in their heels and fought back to take the lead at 9-8. They then rattled off an 11-2 run to push the advantage to 20-12. The Dustdevils tried to rally and managed to cut the deficit to 22-20 as part of their own 8-1 run. Unfortunately, they could not complete the comeback as Westminster took the frame 25-21.
As was the theme for most of the match, the Griffins jumped out to an early 7-3 lead in the fourth set, only to see TAMIU battle back to tie things at 7-7. Things grew close for several points as Westminster held on to a slim one point lead. The Dustdevils manage to break loose and claim the lead 17-15 on a 6-2 run. Unfortunately, the Griffins counterpunched with a 7-1 run of their own to retake the advantage 22-18. They took the victory by closing out the final set on a 3-1 run en route to a 25-19 decision.
TAMIU will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 13 as they travel to Durango, Colo. and open the Seahawk Invitational against Lone Star Conference foe West Texas A&M.
