LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University volleyball battled through five sets Friday evening at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building but ultimately fell to Cameron University, 3-2, in Lone Star Conference action.
The Dustdevils (7-12, 1-7 LSC) pushed the Aggies (2-16, 2-5 LSC) to a decisive fifth set, falling by scores of 22-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-20 and 10-15.
TAMIU opened the match with a competitive first set that featured 11 ties and five lead changes. Despite recording 13 kills and hitting .259, the Dustdevils narrowly dropped the opening frame, 25-22.
The Dustdevils responded with a dominant second-set performance, taking control of the match with a 25-13 victory. TAMIU held Cameron to just three kills and a -.045 hitting percentage while producing 14 kills of its own to even the match at one set apiece.
Cameron regained the advantage in the third set, recording 15 kills on a .316 hitting percentage. TAMIU registered 12 kills in the frame but came up short, 25-22, as the Aggies moved ahead 2-1.
Facing elimination, the Dustdevils answered with another strong offensive showing in the fourth set. TAMIU recorded 14 kills while committing just three attacking errors, hitting .282 to secure a 25-20 victory and force a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, both teams continued to execute offensively, with TAMIU hitting .263 and Cameron hitting .375. The Aggies recorded eight kills on 16 attempts to claim the fifth set, 15-10, and secure the match victory.
Andrea Nunez led the Dustdevils offensively with a match-high 19 kills, hitting an impressive .441 on 34 attempts while adding a block assist.
Ece Özdemir delivered an all-around performance, finishing with 14 kills, 19 digs and three service aces. Özdemir hit .278 and contributed 17 points for TAMIU.
Jaylah Lumar added 13 kills on a .250 hitting percentage, while Caleigh Garcia provided an offensive spark with 10 kills and a .259 hitting percentage.
The Dustdevils received strong contributions from their setters, with Giulia Gainelli recording 25 assists and 10 digs, while Deanna Montgomery added 24 assists and three block assists.
Defensively, Brianna Espinoza collected 14 digs, while Mia Perez added nine digs and two service aces.
As a team, TAMIU finished with 61 kills compared to Cameron's 52, while holding a 74-69 advantage in digs. The Dustdevils also recorded 55 assists and 10 service aces, finishing with a .239 hitting percentage compared to Cameron's .233.
Despite holding advantages in several statistical categories, the Dustdevils were unable to overcome Cameron's defensive presence at the net, where the Aggies recorded 12 total team blocks compared to TAMIU's four.
TAMIU will look to build on its offensive production and resilience as the Dustdevils continue Lone Star Conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Andrea Nunez delivered an outstanding offensive performance for the Dustdevils, recording a match-high 19 kills on 34 attempts while committing just four attacking errors. Her impressive .441 hitting percentage led TAMIU's offensive effort as the Dustdevils battled Cameron through five competitive sets. Nunez also contributed a block assist and finished with a team-high 19.5 points.
Nunez is a sophomore right-side hitter for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Public Health. A native of Laredo, TX, Andrea is the daughter of Lizette Gutierrez and Pablo Nunez and was born on July 13, 2006.
