LAREDO, Texas — Texas A&M International University volleyball battled through four competitive sets Friday evening but ultimately fell to UT Permian Basin, 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 15-25, 24-26), inside the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
The Dustdevils (8-19, 2-14 Lone Star Conference) were led offensively by Andrea Nunez, who finished with a team-high 10 kills and four block assists. Mia Molina followed with nine kills and 14 digs, while Jaylah Lumar added eight kills and four block assists.
UT Permian Basin (9-13, 4-12 LSC) opened the match with a 25-19 victory in the first set, despite TAMIU battling back from an early deficit to take an 11-10 lead behind consecutive service aces from Fernanda Izar.
The Dustdevils responded with a strong second-set performance, jumping out to a 10-3 advantage before extending their lead to 15-7. TAMIU maintained control throughout the frame, recording 13 kills and holding off a late Falcons rally to secure a 25-21 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
UT Permian Basin regained momentum in the third set, opening with six consecutive points and maintaining its advantage en route to a 25-15 win.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Dustdevils delivered a determined fourth-set effort. Trailing 15-8, TAMIU mounted a 7-0 run highlighted by three consecutive service aces from Ece Özdemir to tie the set at 15. The Dustdevils later took a 20-18 lead before the Falcons rallied to reach match point at 24-21.
TAMIU refused to go quietly, scoring three straight points behind a kill from Lumar, a service ace from Izabela Tapia and another Lumar kill to tie the set at 24. However, UT Permian Basin answered with consecutive kills to claim the set, 26-24, and secure the match.
Özdemir finished with six kills, five service aces and eight digs, while Izar contributed three aces, one solo block and four block assists. Tapia recorded 15 assists, 12 digs and two service aces, while Deanna Montgomery led the Dustdevils with 16 assists and added nine digs.
As a team, TAMIU totaled 41 kills, 39 assists, 73 digs, nine blocks and 11 service aces. UT Permian Basin finished with 53 kills and 90 digs, led by Addison Parks with 12 kills and four service aces.
The Dustdevils will look to build on their effort as they continue Lone Star Conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Ece Özdemir delivered a strong all-around performance, recording six kills, five service aces, eight digs and two block assists. Her three consecutive aces fueled a crucial seven-point run in the fourth set, helping the Dustdevils erase a seven-point deficit and tie the frame at 15.
Özdemir is a senior outside hitter for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. A native of Antalya, Turkey, Ece is the daughter of Aydin and Derya Ece Özdemir and was born on April 17, 2003.
