LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International volleyball (6-9) fell to 3-1 (24-26, 25-27, 25-13, 25-23) to Our Lady of the Lake (9-1) in the regular season finale on Thursday.
The Dustdevils registered three double-doubles in the loss. Junior Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with a double-double of a career-high 26 kills and season-high 20 digs with two blocks. Sophomore Skylar Warde posted a double-double of her own with 13 kills and 12 digs to go along with a service ace and a block. Junior Maison Kosse logged her own double-double with a career-high 51 assists and 15 digs with a service ace as well. On the defensive end, junior Deserey Gomez contributed 21 digs with two assists and a service ace.
The opening set was as close as they come with neither team able to get more than a three-point lead at any time. The Saints took a 4-1 lead early, but TAMIU quickly responded and tied things at 5-5. From there, the teams traded points for most of the set until OLLU went on a 3-0 run to go up 15-12. The Dustdevils counterpunched with a 6-1 run to take the lead 18-16. The Saints eventually took the lead back at 23-22, but two points later TAMIU was back in control 24-23. Unfortunately, OLLU scored three-straight kills to take the frame 26-24.
The second set was just as close. The Dustdevils held an early 5-3 lead, but the Saints fought back and tied things at 9-9. TAMIU immediately went to work on a 7-3 run to go back up 16-12, and managed to hold the lead until OLLU tied it again at 18-18. Things grew tight as their were seven ties and three lead changes in remainder of the frame. With things tied at 24-24, the Saints managed a 3-1 run to take the set 27-25.
OLLU looked primed to control in the third set as they opened on a 4-0 run. However, the Dustdevils quickly responded with a 6-0 run to take control 6-4. Both sides proceed to trade points back and back for the next couple of rallies leading to a 10-10 tie. TAMIU took firm control of the set as they went on their longest point run of the season at 10-0 to take a 20-10 lead. The eventually closed out the frame on a 5-1 run for the 25-13 decision.
The Saints didn't let the previous set phase them as the began the fourth set on a 6-1 run. Once again though, the Dustdevils responded by tying things at 7-7. OLLU went back to work and pushed back out to 14-9. However, TAMIU tied it at again 15-15. The Saints kept fighting and went up 21-18 and then 23-20. Staring down match point, the Dustdevils were able to get within one point at 24-23, but a kill on the ensuing rally game OLLU the victory 25-23.
TAMIU will now turn its attention to the Lone Star Conference Tournament as they make their first appearance since joining the league, and their first appearance in postseason play since 2012. The Dustdevils will face off against West Texas A&M on Tuesday, March 23 at 6 p.m. in Tyler, Texas in a first round matchup.
