LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International volleyball began a home weekend stretch against UT Permian Basin on Friday. In the end, it was the Falcons (13-5 8-2 LSC) upending the Dustdevils (2-15, 2-8 LSC), 3-0.
 
Set one went in favor of UT Permian Basin, 25-16. In the set, the Falcons jumped ahead to a 6-1 lead, but the Dustdevils cut the deficit to 6-5, before the teams played within one point for a bit. Later on, with the score 18-15 Falcons, UTPB went on a 6-0 run to open a nine-point edge.
 
Set two again saw more of the same, with the Falcons holding multiple four point edges early. TAMIU did cut the deficit to one at 13-12 and eventually tied the contest 16-16. However, a 9-3 run gave UTPB a 25-19 set victory.
 
In set three, the Dustdevils had the opening spark, leading 4-0 out the gate. It took until 13-13 before the Falcons tied the set, then later on, TAMIU went on to hold a 20-19 lead.
 
Down the stretch, UTPB went on a 6-1 run to close the set 25-21.
 
Senior Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with 15 kills on the night, while sophomore Yaretzi Ortiz finished with eight and graduate student Ilina Spasova chipped in five.
 
Catalina, Ortiz and Spasove all had double-digit kills for TAMIU, with 14, 11 and 13 respectively to lead the way, while senior Maison Kosse gave the Dustdevils 23 assists on the evening.
 
The Dustdevils conclude their weekend home series tomorrow, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. against Western New Mexico.