LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International volleyball suffered its first home loss of the 2022 season, dropping a tough five set match to Texas Woman's on Friday night.
 
The Dustdevils (19-6, 10-2 LSC) started from behind as it was the Pioneers (14-11, 5-8 LSC) taking the opening set by a final score of 25-21.
 
In set two, TAMIU bounced back to win 25-18. The set was highlighted by a 4-0 run early to make the score 6-2, then two 5-0 runs throughout the middle stage of the frame.
 
Set three was a victory for Texas Woman's, 25-20, who benefitted from a negative hitting percentage on the side of the Dustdevils.
 
TAMIU coasted in set four to force a deciding fifth set, 25-16. After a 5-0 run to make the score 14-8, after it was 9-8, the Dustdevils never allowed the set to be as close three points to seal the victory.
 
In the deciding fifth set, TAMIU overcame a four-point deficit and multiple three-point deficits, including late when the score was 14-11 and came back to tie the set 14-14. However, the Pioneers would use a timeout and then scored the next two points to win the match.
 
Senior Megan Menchaca led the Dustdevils with 17 kills, while graduate student Mackenzie Catalina raked up 16 kills and a team-high 26 digs.
 
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's Lixai Perez and Giulia Hortelan each added 17 and 15 digs respectively, while junior Daniela Sandoval had 10.
 
Freshman setter Emma Lade became just the fourth Dustdevil and first freshman in program history to reach 1,000 assists in a single-season, as she sits at 1,023 after having 46 assists along with 10 digs.
 
TAMIU must quickly put behind the loss and ready for Midwestern State on Saturday, Oct. 29. The opening serve is slated for 2 p.m. at the KCB.