COMMERCE, TEXAS–The A&M-Commerce (4-19) volleyball team looked to get back on track on Tuesday night. Despite excellent performances by
Neka Nelson and
Taryn Driver the Lions fell 3-1 (20-25,25-19,21-25,23-25) to Southeastern Oklahoma State (13-11).
With the Lions trailing 16-12 a
Veronika Baric kill triggered a 4-0 run that was capped off by a Driver kill making the score 16-15 Savage Storm. Back-to back
Sydney Reyes kills tied the set at 19. The Storm would then go on a run of their own scoring seven of the final eight points to end the set. Reyes had five of her 11 kills in the first set and had a .400 hitting percentage.
Nelson provided a spark for the Lions in the second set with eight kills and a hitting percentage of .667. With A&M-Commerce down 13-10 the Lions would go on a 7-0 run behind the service of Chassidy Hill. The run was highlighted by two Nelson kills and a service ace by Hill giving the Lions a 15-13 lead en route to a 25-19 set two victory.
A&M-Commerce fell behind early in the third set 14-12. When an
Amy Davault kill contributed to a 5-0 run, which was highlighted by a Nelson kill and a Driver and
Delanee Clark block. The run was capped off with a Clark kill that gave the Lions a 17-14 lead. The Storm would answer right back scoring 11 of the last 12 points to win the third set.
The fourth set was a back and forth affair that displayed 10 ties and four lead changes. The Lions were able tie the set at 17 following back-to-back kills by Nelson and
Driver. Another Driver kill would give A&M-Commerce a slim 19-18 lead. The score was tied again at 22 following a Storm receiving error, but Southeastern Oklahoma State would score three of next four points to finish the set and match.
The Savage Storm were led tonight by Emily Gentle who had a match-high 20 kills and a .357 hitting percentage. Megan Kunkel added a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs, while Alissa Benson contributed 32 assists.
Nelson and Driver both had career nights. Nelson had career-high 16 kills with a .429 hitting percentage. Driver added a double-double with a career-high 15 kills and 12 digs.
Courtney Tate had a match-high 50 assists and
Ashley Mireles contributed a match-high 22 digs. Davault had eight kills tonight and is only seven away from the 1,000 kill milestone.
A&M-Commerce is back on the road with two Lone Star Conference matches. On Friday, October 24 the Lions travel to Wichita Falls, Texas for a match-up with Midwestern State. On Saturday, October 25 the Lions cross the border to Lawton, Oklahoma for a showdown against Cameron University.
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.
