COMMERCE, TEXAS - The A&M-Commerce volleyball team (4-17, 2-8 LSC) earned a thrilling four-set victory (25-22, 15-25, 25-12, 25-17) over Angelo State (12-5, 6-4 LSC) on Saturday. The Rambelles entered the match second in the Lone Star Conference, having received votes in the latest national poll.
 
"They're a great team, you won't beat a team like that if you don't show up and play well," sais coach Craig Case,  "We always knew we had the right pieces and today we saw it all come together."
 
The Lions scored the first eight points to start the opening set behind the services of Chassidy Hill. The run was highlighted by a great Lacie Jessup dig that eventually led to an Amy Davault kill. The Rambelles would answer right back with a 7-0 run of their own making the score 9-8 in favor of A&M-Commerce. With the score tied at 22, Davault took over with three consecutive kills to end the set.
 
The Rambelles dominated the second set from start to finish, winning 25-15. Angelo State made three fewer errors than the Lions and had four team blocks compared to two for A&M-Commerce.
 
Hannah Dykstra sparked a huge 10-0 run for the Lions early in the second set, a run highlighted by two Taryn Driver and Delanee Clark blocks, as well as two service aces from Dykstra. The run gave A&M-Commerce a 14-3 lead en route to a set three win. Taryn Driver had four of her nine blocks in the set, while defensively, Ashley Mireles was all over the court, picking up 12 digs.
 
In the fourth set, a Sydney Reyes kill sparked a 5-0 run for the Lions. During that run, Mireles provided some big-time digs, including a diving dig that led to a Rambelle error. The run was capped off by a Reyes and Clark block, giving A&M-Commerce a 16-9 edge. Neka Nelson slammed the door on any comeback chance with a kill to end the match.
 
Angelo State was led by Brianna Sotello, who picked up a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. Daeleigh Castile led the charge defensively with four blocks. Shelby Wilt also notched a double-double with 29 assists an 11 digs.
 
Davault led the charge for the Lions picking up a double-double with a match-high 14 kills and 14 digs. Courtney Tate had a team-high 26 assists and Dykstra contributed 16 assists. Reyes hit a team-high .267 and picked up 10 kills. Defensively, Mireles picked up 28 digs and Driver and Reyes both picked up 4 blocks.
 
Next, the Lions look to avenge two early season losses when they travel to Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, October 14 for a rematch with Dallas Baptist. After that on Saturday, October 18, the Lions will travel to Denton, Texas for an LSC match against Texas's Woman's.
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2014-15 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.