2011 Holiday Inn & Suites Invitational
Hosted by Texas Woman's University
Kitty Magee Arena * Denton, Texas
Arkansas Tech 3, A&M-Commerce 1
Records: A&M-Commerce (3-10); Arkansas Tech (17-2)
A&M-Commerce 3, Southeastern Oklahoma 0
Records: A&M-Commerce (4-10); Southeastern Oklahoma (8-11)
DENTON, Texas – A&M-Commerce had a productive final day of the 2011 Holiday Inn & Suites Invitational in Denton, splitting its final two matches to finish the two-day tournament with a 2-2 overall record. The Lions fell in four to perennially tough Arkansas Tech 25-20, 20-25, 25-27, 21-25, but responded in a big way to sweep former Lone Star Conference opponent Southeastern Oklahoma 25-21, 25-23, 25-14.
"Our goal for this weekend's tournament was to take a step back and work on the little things that have been costing us in key situations," said head coach Craig Case. "I thought we took a step forward this weekend. We put together some different lineups out on the court that played well together, and I think we were able to come together a little bit and put some of the frustrations of the past few weeks behind us. Hopefully this gives us some momentum as we get into the bulk of our conference schedule."
After splitting the opening two matches of the tournament Friday, the Lions carried some momentum into their early match with Arkansas Tech. A&M-Commerce struck first, taking the opening set 25-20 before the Golden Suns took the second by the same score. The final two sets were competitive from the opening serve, as in set three A&M-Commerce gave Arkansas Tech all it could handle before falling 27-25 and in the fourth, the teams combined for eight ties and six lead changes before the Golden Suns prevailed 25-21.
Four different Lions notched double-digit kill totals, led by Kayla Bond who tied her season-high with 13 against Arkansas Tech. Ezon Onditi and Rachel Robertson each added a dozen with Breanne Snyder adding 10 for the Lions. Robertson also anchored the block, notching eight up front with Jordan Neal adding four blocks of her own.
Neal continued her strong play, dishing out 45 assists and eight digs to complement the blocks. Defensively, the Lions were in the right position all morning with four players recording double-digit dig totals, led by 23 from Bond for her first double-double of the season. Dakota Crockett recorded 15 with Haley Richburg adding 12 and Onditi finishing with 10.
But even though the Lions came up on the short side against Arkansas Tech, it seemed to spark the needed confidence heading into the afternoon bout with Southeastern Oklahoma. It was a competitive battle, but this time it was finally A&M-Commerce that got the key points down the stretch. The Lions took the opening set 25-21, battling through six ties and three lead changes. The second set may have been the most crucial of the weekend for A&M-Commerce, persevering through eight ties and four lead changes to take the second 25-23, before pushing the throttle in set three, taking it 25-14.
Robertson notched her fourth-straight double-digit kill total, finishing with a match-high 16 kills on a .520 hitting afternoon with a pair of blocks. Chelsee Hudson had her best outing in a Lion uniform, notching a career-best 10 kills with a .409 hitting percentage, adding five digs and a block.
Bond continued her strong play in her hometown, just missing another double-double with nine kills and 12 digs in the afternoon match. Her 12 digs was tied for the team-high with Crockett and Neal with Onditi adding 10 to complement her seven kills. Neal and Snyder also posted five kills each for the Lions.
For her efforts on the weekend, setter Jordan Neal was named to the All-Tournament team. Neal finished the four-match weekend with 160 assists, averaging 11.43 per set, also finishing with 13 kills, five service aces, 37 digs and six blocks. She also posted a pair of double-doubles on the weekend.
A&M-Commerce will stay out of Lone Star Conference play for one more match, returning to the Field House to host Dallas Baptist at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 4. The match against the Patriots is "Turn Back the Clock Night," as fans are encouraged to come to the match dressed in outfits from their favorite decade. The Lions then resume LSC play this weekend, heading west to face West Texas Thursday and Eastern New Mexico Saturday.
