ODESSA, Texas – Texas A&M International volleyball upped its win streak to four games and set a single season conference best win total in a hard-fought 3-0 victory over UT Permian Basin to open the weekend road trip.
 
The Dustdevils (18-5, 9-1 LSC) were tested early as the set went to a 30-28 final score.
 
The Falcons (11-11, 6-5 LSC) jumped ahead early in the first set, leading 8-4. TAMIU would then rattle off four straight points to make the score 8-8.
 
After going back and forth later, the teams exchanged 3-0 runs making the score 19-19, which was followed by a 4-0 run from the Dustdevils to lead 23-19.
 
UTPB would follow suit and tie it 24-24, then take a 26-25. TAMIU would stave off three set points and used a 3-0 run to close the victory.
 
The Dustdevils would jump ahead 7-4 in set two, but the Falcons would work their way back, taking an 11-9 lead and then 14-12.
 
TAMIU sparked an 8-0 run to lead 20-14, but UTPB cut the deficit to 20-18. The lead would never come closer than two points as the Dustdevils closed set two winning 25-22.
 
Set three was even over the first 20 points as the score was stuck at a stalemate, 10-10.
 
TAMIU then would score six of the next eight points to lead 16-12, but the Falcons would counter by scoring six of seven to lead 18-17.
 
3-0 runs by each teams and then a back-and-forth set the score to 22-21 in favor of UTPB, but the Dustdevils would score four of the final five points to seal the victory 25-23.
 
Sophomore Giulia Hortelan was the leader on offense with 15 kills and earned a double-double with 12 digs. Graduate student Mackenzie Catalina followed with 12 digs and senior Meagan Menchaca had 11 with a hitting percentage of .320.
 
Hortelan held the team-high in digs and was followed by sophomore libero Lixai Perez whom had 11. Freshman setter Emma Lade garnered 34 assists.
 
TAMIU closes the road swing on Saturday, Oct. 22 in San Angelo, Texas against Angelo State. Opening serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.