LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University volleyball picked up its first Lone Star Conference victory of the season Saturday, sweeping Sul Ross State 3-0 inside the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
The Dustdevils (7-9, 1-4 LSC) controlled the opening two sets before holding off the Lobos (0-14, 0-4 LSC) in a tightly contested third frame, earning the victory by set scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 27-25.
TAMIU was efficient offensively throughout the afternoon, finishing with 42 kills on a .301 hitting percentage while limiting Sul Ross State to 31 kills and a .117 clip. The Dustdevils hit .296 or better in each of the first two sets and closed the match with 17 kills in the third.
The Dustdevils set the tone immediately in the opening frame. TAMIU held Sul Ross State to just three kills and a -.160 hitting percentage while recording 13 kills of its own to cruise to the 25-13 victory.
TAMIU continued its strong offensive performance in the second set, hitting a match-best .321 with 12 kills against only three errors. Sul Ross State provided more resistance, but the Dustdevils secured the 25-19 win to take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
The Lobos pushed TAMIU throughout the third set, which featured 10 ties and three lead changes. With Sul Ross State looking to extend the match, the Dustdevils answered in the closing points to edge the Lobos 27-25 and complete the straight-set victory.
Mia Molina led the TAMIU attack with a standout performance, totaling a match-high 19 kills on 31 attempts with only two errors for a .548 hitting percentage. Molina also added four block assists, one service ace and three digs to finish with a match-high 22 points.
Jaylah Lumar added seven kills while hitting .333, and Fernanda Izar finished with four kills without an attack error, hitting .364 while contributing five block assists. Sierra Sanchez chipped in five kills and eight digs.
Giulia Gainelli directed the offense with a team-high 19 assists while adding eight digs and two service aces. Deanna Montgomery contributed 14 assists, while Kaylee Rodarte recorded four assists, six digs and a match-high three service aces.
As a team, TAMIU finished with seven service aces and 10 block assists while holding the advantage in kills, 42-31.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Mia Molina powered the Dustdevils offensively, recording a match-high 19 kills while hitting an outstanding .548 with just two errors on 31 attacks. Molina also contributed four block assists, three digs and a service ace, finishing with a match-high 22 points in TAMIU's 3-0 sweep of Sul Ross State.
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.
