The Texas A&M
University-Commerce volleyball team split its two matches on Friday
in the first day of the TexAnn Invitational, hosted by Tarleton
State. A&M-Commerce dropped a 13-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23
decision to Texas-Permian Basin to begin the day and wrapped up the
day with a 25-19, 25-15, 28-26 win over St. Mary's.
A&M-Commerce (4-3) began the
day winning its opening set against Texas-Permian Basin on the
strength of four kills and two service aces by senior Naomi
Mays and freshman Jordan
Neal added three service aces. As a team, the Lions
hit .364, its best percentage of the match.
In the second set, the Lions
struggled as they hit -.071 and UTPB hit .111 and spread the
attack with five different players recording a kill, including a
team-high three from Keeley Brogdon.
The Falcons continued its success
in the third set as they hit .206 compared to .139 for the Lions.
Brogdon added four more kills and three service aces en route to a
25-19 victory. In the fourth and final set, UTPB spread the attack
around with six players having a kill to secure the victory. With
the win, the Broncos improved to 3-3.
In the nightcap, the Lions posted
their third straight-set victory of the season with the win over
the Rattlers of St. Mary's.
The Lions attack hit .075, recorded
nine service aces, including four from senior Naomi Mays. Plus,
they posted seven blocks, including four from sophomore Rachel
Robertson and two more from Mays, Jordan
Neal and Sarah
Owens. Freshman Kayla
Bond paced the attack with a team-best nine kills in
the win. A&M-Commerce held St. Mary's to a -.053 hitting
percentage in the win.
Mays sparked the Lions in the
opening set victory, 25-19, with four kills and two service aces.
In the second set, A&M-Commerce won by the score of 25-15 after
forcing St. Mary's to hit -.122 and a balanced attack with three
kills from Bond and two more from sophomore Morgan
Moeller. Bond led the Lions in the third set to
close out the match with six kills and Robertson had two blocks for
the straight-set victory.
A&M-Commerce will close out the
two-day, TexAnn Invitational on Saturday when they face Southwest
Baptist at noon.
