SAN ANTONIO – Texas A&M International volleyball (0-1, 0-1 LSC) fell in heartbreaking fashion in the Spring 2021 season opener 3-2 (22-25, 28-26, 25-23, 20-25, 13-15) in a five-set thriller to St. Mary's (1-0, 1-0 LSC) on Tuesday.

Junior Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with a double-double of 19 kills and 13 digs to go along with two aces and a block. Sophomore Carly Unruh added eight kills with three aces, two blocks, a dig and an assist. Freshman McKenna Flagler posted 26 assists with two digs, a kill, an ace and a block. On the defensive end, junior Regina Tijerina dug 20 balls with four assists and an ace.

The opening set was tight through the first seven points as both traded leads back and forth. However, the Rattlers began to pull away with a 6-3 run to take the advantage 11-6. The Dustdevils fought their way back, and midway through the frame pulled together a 9-2 run to retake the lead 19-15. Unfortunately, St. Mary's counterpunched with a 9-3 run en route a taking the set 25-22.

While things started close again in the second set, TAMIU managed to pull away on a 7-1 run to take an early 9-5 lead. The Rattlers rallied and managed to tie things at 12 all. From there, the two teams traded points for a bit, until St. Mary's went on a 6-1 run to go up 22-17. The Dustdevils would not be denied though as they closed out the frame on a 11-4 run to take the set 28-26.

TAMIU carried their momentum into the third set as they strung together several short point runs to take a 13-8 lead to start. The Rattlers battled back to tie things at 17-17. However, the Dustdevils answered with a 6-1 run to go back up 23-18. St. Mary's attempted to make a late surge, but came up short as TAMIU held them off for the 25-23 decision.

The Rattlers came out hot in fourth set as they raced out to a 14-5 lead to open the frame. While they attempted to get back into the set, the Dustdevils were unable to get close enough. St. Mary's forced the fifth and deciding set with a 25-20 decision.

In the final set, both teams slugged it out in the early goings with three lead changes and five ties in the first 11 points. TAMIU managed to pull away thanks to an 8-2 run, and sat just two points away from victory at 13-8. Unfortunately, the Rattlers ripped off seven-straight points to take the win with a 15-13 decision.

The Dustdevils will need a short memory as they face off against St. Mary's again tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the series finale.