RICHARDSON, Texas — Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) volleyball fell to UT Dallas in straight sets Friday evening at the UTD Activity Center. The Comets secured the Lone Star Conference victory by scores of 25-13, 25-20 and 25-23.
With the loss, the Dustdevils moved to 8-17 overall and 2-12 in conference play, while UT Dallas improved to 14-9 overall and 10-4 in LSC action.
TAMIU was led offensively by Andrea Nunez, who recorded a team-high eight kills and seven block assists, finishing with 11.5 points. Mia Molina followed with seven kills and eight digs, while Sierra Sanchez contributed five kills and nine digs.
The Comets controlled the opening set, holding the Dustdevils to six kills and a negative hitting percentage en route to a 25-13 victory.
TAMIU showed improvement in the second set, keeping the contest competitive before UT Dallas pulled away for a 25-20 win. The Dustdevils recorded seven kills in the frame but were limited by nine attacking errors.
The Dustdevils delivered their strongest offensive performance in the third set, recording 13 kills on a .212 hitting percentage. The final frame featured 16 ties and six lead changes as TAMIU battled the Comets point for point. Despite the improved offensive production and a late push, UT Dallas edged the Dustdevils 25-23 to complete the sweep.
Defensively, Kaylee Rodarte led TAMIU with 10 digs and added a service ace, while Sanchez collected nine digs. Giulia Gainelli and Izabela Tapia each dished out 10 assists, with Gainelli also contributing six digs.
As a team, TAMIU finished with 26 kills, 41 digs, 23 assists and eight total blocks while hitting .030. UT Dallas recorded 39 kills, 49 digs and a .168 hitting percentage.
The Comets were led by Jane Burkhardt, who finished with a match-high 14 kills, while Scarlette Young added 13 kills on a .462 hitting percentage.
TAMIU will look to regroup as it continues Lone Star Conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Andrea Nunez led the Dustdevils with a team-high eight kills and seven block assists, finishing with 11.5 points. Nunez provided a strong presence at the net, contributing both offensively and defensively against UT Dallas.
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.
