LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University volleyball battled Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday afternoon but fell in four sets (14-25, 25-23, 22-25, 22-25) inside the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
With the loss, the Dustdevils moved to 8-16 overall and 2-11 in Lone Star Conference play, while the Javelinas improved to 16-8 overall and 9-4 in conference action.
Senior Mia Molina led the Dustdevils offensively with a match-high 22 kills, adding six digs, two service aces and two block assists for a team-leading 25 points. Andrea Nunez contributed 12 kills, while Sierra Sanchez added eight kills and 15 digs.
Texas A&M-Kingsville opened the match with a strong offensive showing, hitting .295 in the first set. After the teams traded points early, the Javelinas used a six-point run to establish an 11-5 advantage. The visitors continued to build their lead and secured the opening frame, 25-14.
TAMIU responded with an impressive offensive performance in the second set, recording 21 kills to even the match.
The Dustdevils battled through several early lead changes before a four-point run, highlighted by consecutive kills from Molina, gave TAMIU a 12-9 advantage. The Javelinas continued to apply pressure, eventually tying the set at 21-21.
With the score tied again at 23, Ece Özdemir delivered a crucial kill to put the Dustdevils at set point before Sanchez finished the frame with a kill, giving TAMIU a 25-23 victory.
The third set featured another tightly contested battle, with neither team establishing a significant advantage through the opening stages. TAMIU held a 15-14 lead before Texas A&M-Kingsville responded with five consecutive points to move ahead 19-15.
The Dustdevils refused to go away, rallying to take a 21-20 lead following a Molina kill. However, the Javelinas scored five of the final six points to claim the set, 25-22, and regain control of the match.
In the fourth set, Texas A&M-Kingsville established an early advantage and extended its lead to 17-10. TAMIU continued to fight, cutting into the deficit behind contributions from Molina and Sanchez, but the Javelinas held on for another 25-22 victory to close out the match.
Defensively, Mia Perez anchored the Dustdevils with a team-high 23 digs, while Sanchez recorded 15 and Giulia Gainelli added 10.
Gainelli also directed the offense with 27 assists, while Izabela Tapia contributed 15 assists and seven digs.
At the net, Fernanda Izar led TAMIU with six total blocks, including one solo block and five block assists. Özdemir added six kills and two block assists.
As a team, the Dustdevils finished with 54 kills, 51 assists, 77 digs and six total blocks while hitting .180. Texas A&M-Kingsville recorded 59 kills, 79 digs and a .240 hitting percentage.
Cambelle Brammer led the Javelinas with 21 kills, while Natalee Rush contributed 13. Alayna Guerrero directed the visitors' offense with 47 assists.
The Dustdevils will look to regroup as they continue Lone Star Conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Mia Molina delivered a match-high 22 kills while hitting .224 against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The senior added six digs, two service aces and two block assists, finishing with a match-high 25 points to lead the Dustdevils' offensive effort.
Molina is a senior outside hitter for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. A native of Laredo, TX, Mia is the daughter of Rolando and Maricela Molina and was born on April 12, 2005.
