SAN ANGELO, Texas – It took five sets to seal the deal, but Texas A&M International volleyball clinched its first trip to the Lone Star Conference Tournament and first postseason trip since 2012, defeating Angelo State for the first time since 2007, 3-2.
 
The Dustdevils (19-5, 10-1 LSC) opened the afternoon taking the opening two sets to lead 2-0.
 
In set one, TAMIU led start to finish, while leading by as many as seven points on multiple occasions. The Dustdevils would never, after gaining the initial seven-point lead, allow the Rambelles to come closer than two points, to win the opening set 25-20.
 
In set two, it was back and forth midway through, with TAMIU holding the edge 14-13. The Dustdevils then utilized a 7-0 run to open a 21-13 lead and ultimately closed the set with a 25-19 victory.
 
Angelo State (11-13, 7-5 LSC) wouldn't go down quietly, bouncing back to take sets three and four.
 
Set three was all TAMIU early, leading 10-4. However, the Rambelles put together a 6-0 run to tie the game, but the Dustdevils countered with a 4-0 run to make it 14-10. Angelo State would go on yet another run, this time a 12-1 run to open a 22-15 lead and win the set 25-21.
 
Set four was even throughout, as neither team led by more than three points at any time, and the Rambelles took it 25-22.
 
In the deciding fifth set, TAMIU put together a 6-2 run to open the set and never looked back to seal the victory 15-10 and a spot in the LSC Tournament.
 
Graduate student Mackenzie Catalina was the offensive leader with 21 kills and made it a double-double with 15 digs defensively.
 
Senior Megan Menchaca added 19 kills, while sophomore Giulia Hortelan finished with a double-double of her own, having 15 kills, 17 digs and four service aces.
 
Sophomore Lixai Perez led the team with 22 digs, while junior Daniela Sandoval chipped in another 15 digs.
 
Freshman setter Emma Lade came just one assist shy of the TAMIU record for assists in a five-set game with 59 on the afternoon, while adding 17 digs to the stat sheet as well.
 
The Dustdevils begin their final home stand of the season starting on Friday, Oct. 28. TAMIU welcomes Texas Woman's to the KCB to open the three-game stretch and opening serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.