COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team looks win its third home match in a row with a Tuesday matchup against Cameron on the slate. The Lions defeated the Aggies in Lawton, Okla. in four sets on Sept. 29.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (16-9, 11-4 LSC) vs. Cameron (7-17, 3-12 LSC)
WHERE: The Field House in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
The Lions are coming off of a sweep against four set win against A&M-Kingsville. The Lions struggled in the first set against the Javelinas but started to get going in the second set, winning in extra points. The Lions then won the final two sets handily.
 
"I thought we focused on the things that we have been doing all year," said head coach Craig Case. "We focused on playing good defense, making good decisions, working hard and playing like a team. It took us a little bit to get going. Once we were able to make some adjustments, that got the wheels rolling and some of the things we have been trying to do finally started falling into place."
 
The Lions were led by Layne Little and Neka Nelson, who each had double-digit kills. In their last five matches, five different Lions have recorded double-digit kills. Case sees it as a luxury to have so many different players that can make a big impact on the offensive end.
 
"I think what is fun about this group is they are all able to step up," he said. "If our outsides are not playing well, the middles step up and seem like they play a little bit better. Or the right sides step up and play a little bit better. When we were at West Texas, our middles– who had been playing lights out volleyball up to that point– started to struggle. Then the outsides started showing up. It is a luxury and it is something we are really happy with. Hopefully they can keep doing that.
 
"The nice thing is, you are looking at all six of our attackers who easily could be averaging two kills per set. Most teams have two or three go-to hitters. After that, they are looking at who else can put a ball away. We are lucky enough to be able to set a ball and expect that ball to get a kill."
 
The Lions are now set to face Cameron. The Lions defeated the Aggies in four sets a month ago. The Lions were able to get nine aces in the match and hit well despite 13 Cameron blocks in the match.
 
"We served aggressively and it yielded some aces," Case said about that match. "Then the balls that weren't aces, we got free balls and we were able to get into our offense. They are a really good blocking team. If we get out of system and our offense becomes predictable, they are going to block everything we swing at. We knew we needed to control that first contact and get into our offense and put some pressure on their blockers to make decisions. Their middles are playing even better than the last time we saw them. The whole team is playing better. It is going to be a tough match tomorrow."
 
The Aggies are under a new head coach, Tatiana Booth. While record-wise the team looks to be struggling, Case sees a team that has been close to a very different record.

"You sit there and you look at the record and its not as great as they would like but you start looking at the match scores and you look at how many times this year they have lost two or more sets by just two points," he said. "That is over half of their losses. Just like we have gotten lucky in a few matches where we have ended up on the other end of those two points, they could have just as easily picked up another four or five wins. Coach Booth is doing a great job and they are a really good team. They are going to play great tomorrow night. We are going to have to play our best volleyball if we want to hold home court."
 
 
Tickets for Tuesday's match are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756 or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House. Fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the match. Free candy will be given out at the match, provided by Brookshire's. There will also be a costume contest presented by Under Armour.