DENVER– The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team lost an intense five-set match against Metropolitan State of Denver on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. After falling behind in the first set, the Lions won the second and third sets before falling in the final two sets. The set scores were 11-25, 25-22, 25-21, 21-25 and 9-15.
 
The loss brings the Lions to 21-12 on the season and they are eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. Metro State improves to 22-8 and advances to the second round.
 
This was the Lions' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1988.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jaryn Wacker led the Lions with 12 kills in the match. She also had two blocks.
- Shelley Chapron had nine kills and led the team with five blocks.
- Layne Little had nine kills and seven digs. Neka Nelson added eight kills.
- Gabriela Rosa led the team with 27 assists. Rylie Fuentes added 12 assists.
- Savannah Rutledge led the team with 23 digs. Lacie Jessup added 16 digs.
- Mariyah Oliver had six kills and Jaslyn Wacker had five.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams split the first six points of the first set before MSUD went on a run. They scored seven of the next eight points to take a 10-4 lead. The teams traded points again before blew the set open. The Roadrunners won the set 25-11.
 
The second set was an even battle early on. The teams split points early before MSUD made an early run to take an 11-8 lead. The Lions then responded, scoring seven points in a row, including four kills in the run from Chapron. The Lions led 15-11.
 
The Roadrunners then cut into the Lion lead, tying the match at 19. With the score even at 21, the Lions scored four of the final five points to win the set. Oliver had a kill and two blocks in the rally.
 
MSUD scored the first three points of the third set before the Lions answered back to score four in a row to take a lead. With the score tied at five, the Lions scored three in a row to push their lead to 8-5. It was part of a run that gave the Lions a 12-6 lead in the set.
 
The Roadrunners cut into the lead, bringing it down to three points before the Lions again scored three in a row to lead 21-15. Metro State attempted a comeback, scoring three points in a row late but the Lions held on to win the set 25-21.
 
The teams split the first 14 points of the fourth set before Metro State went on a run. They scored six points in a row and took a 13-8 lead. The Lions answered back to tie the set at 13. MSUD clung to a slim lead late in the set leading 21-20. However, they finished on a run and won the fourth set 25-21.
 
After the Lions scored the first point of the fifth set, the Roadrunners then scored eight points in a row to put the final set out of reach. The Lions attempted a comeback, scoring four of the next five points. But the deficit was too much and they fell 15-9.