AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M International volleyball (6-8, 4-7 LSC) took the first match of a two-match series 3-1 (25-21, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23) over St. Edward's (5-6, 5-6 LSC) on Tuesday.
Junior Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with a double-double of 20 kills and 20 digs to go along with a block. Junior Lorena Martin Perez also posted a double-double of 12 kills and 21 digs, both season highs, as well as two blocks and a service ace. Junior Maison Kosse contributed a double-double as well with 43 assists and 15 digs with three blocks, three kills and two service aces.
The opening set was tight early on with three ties. A 7-2 run gave TAMIU a little breathing room as they went up 11-6. They continued to string together small point runs to keep the lead. With the Dustdevils at a 24-16 set point, the Hilltoppers rattled off five-straight points to cut the deficit to 24-21. However, TAMIU was able to get a kill on the ensuing rally to take the frame 25-21.
The second set was all Dustdevils as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead to start. Later in the set another 6-0 run put them up 14-5. SEU would trim the lead down to 16-11, but that would be as close as they would get as TAMIU took the frame 25-16.
The Hilltoppers were unfazed as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead to begin the third set. The Dustdevils responded with a 4-0 run of their own to take the lead 4-3. The lead would be short lived as SEU proceeded to go on an 8-3 run to retake the lead 12-8. TAMIU was unable to recover as the Hilltoppers put together several long point runs to eventually take the set 25-18.
The fourth set looked to be more of the same early with two lead changes built on multi-point runs. SEU came out on top with a 14-10 lead. They managed to hold on to the advantage and eventually pushed out to 21-17. The Dustdevils rallied and won the set and match closing it out with an 8-2 run to take the frame 25-23.
The two teams will travel back to Laredo tomorrow for the Lone Star Conference regular season finale. First serve is set for 5 p.m.
