Lions defeat West Texas on the road since 1994.

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Kills: Taryn Driver, 17
Blocks: Jaslyn Wacker, 8
Assists: Courtney Tate, 45
Aces: Three players tied at one ace each
Digs: Hannah Dykstra, 14

West Texas A&M
Kills: Courtnee Curl, 11
Blocks: Elisa Bentsen, 4
Assists: Jessica Jackson, 38
Aces: Jessica Jackson, 2
Digs: McKenzie Long, 14
 
Turning Point
The 8-3 lead in the second set gave the Lions confidence and momentum after the first set jitters. After losing the first set, the Lions did not lose another and ended the 12-game drought.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
In the opening set, the Lions committed three attack errors in the first six points of the match. This set the tone as the Lions fell 25-17 in the first set. The Lions had nine attack errors.
Set 2
After first set jitters, A&M-Commerce come out strong and jump out to an 8-3 lead. The Lions held a ten point lead in this set until WT came back cutting the lead down to six. Summer Alford made a big kill to sway the momentum back towards the Lions with a score of 23-16. The Lions won the set 25-18 with nine kills between Taryn Driver and Summer Alford. 
Set 3
WT regained the momentum in the match leading 9-3 beginning the set. Alford and Driver continued their duel attack putting down eight kills to help tie the set at 13. Towards the end of the set, Courtney Tate and Layne Little had back-to-back kills to take a 22-21 lead and force a Lady Buff timeout. Following the timeout, Lexi Davis made two consecutive attack errors making the score 24-21. The Lions won the set 25-23 on an error by Michaela Montgomery.
Set 4
Set four was a tight set as the Lady Buffs held on for dear life to force a fifth set. The fourth set resulted in seven ties and four lead changes. Jaslyn Wacker had two big kills tying the game at 18-18 and 21-21 to keep the Lions in the set. Late attack errors really hurt WT and Taryn Driver put them away with a kill to win the set and match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Lions defeat WT on the road for the first time since 1994. This is their third win verse WT when playing away.
Lions snap 12-game losing streak against WT.
A&M-Commerce hitting percentage was -.026 in the first set which was the only set they lost.
WT recorded a hitting percentage of .062 in the second set which was their lowest of the match but switched the momentum of the entire match.
The Lions outscored WT in kills 42-32 in the final three sets of the match. 

Coach's Thoughts
"It's a really good win for us. That is without a doubt one of the toughest places to play. They have a great environment. They also have a really good team. We are going to enjoy this win but we know WT is a great program, great team, and one of the best volleyball coaches in the nation. This isn't the last time we will see them this year and they will be gunning for us next time. We will have to be prepared. As far as performances, Summer Alford played very well and gave us a boost in the second set. She added an element we were missing in the first. Taryn Driver started off slow but ultimately found her rhythm and got some good kills in. Finally, Ashley Mireles did a good passing tonight and got us into our offense. I am proud of our ladies and now we have to get ready for Eastern New Mexico."

- Coach Case

What's Next
The Lions will travel to face Eastern New Mexico Saturday, September 19 in Portales, N.M. at Greyhound Arena. The Lions are 22-18 against the Greyhounds and are 6-1 in their last seven matches. Although A&M-Commerce are 6-8 overall when playing in Greyhound Arena, the Lions are looking to play confidently and in control to end the weekend with a 2-0 conference record.

GAME INFORMATION
Sets: A&M-Commerce 3, West Texas A&M 1
Records: A&M-Commerce (7-3, 1-0 LSC), West Texas A&M (4-5, 0-1 LSC)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 13-39 against West Texas A&M
Location: First United Bank Center Canyon, Texas
Time of Game: 6 p.m.