DENVER, Colo.– The No. 20 Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team split its two matches in the first day of the Colorado Premier Challenge on Friday. The Lions began the day by defeating No. 1 Tampa in five sets, coming back from down 2-0. The Lions would play a second match just two hours later, falling in straight sets to host Regis.
 
The results bring the Lions to 4-2 on the season. A&M-Commerce now awaits its bracket to determine the team's two opponent for Saturday. The complete schedule for the Colorado Premier Challenge will be announced shortly. The Lions' opponents will be announced on the Lion Volleyball Twitter page (@Lion_Volleyball).
 
HEAD COACH CRAIG CASE AFTER GAME 1
- On the team regaining momentum after losing first two sets: "I think we played really frustrated after losing that first set. We had some chances to win that first set. In that third set, we settled down. Tampa had some miscues and we were able to capitalize. Once we did, we have the type of team that believes that we can keep doing it."
- On the team's overall play: "I thought we competed really hard and had really good focus. Tampa is a very good team and are incredible on the defensive side of the ball. And they are very efficient offensively. When you can defeat a team that plays that way, you know you are a good team. We have to continue to find ways to play that way."
- On some individual performances: "Sydney Andersen played incredible. And Shelley helped bring us home there late. Our setters were dialed in late and were making really good decisions. And we had some great play from off the bench. No matter who we put in, they were ready to go."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- It is the second season in a row the Lions have defeated the defending national champions. The Lions defeated Concordia-St. Paul, also in five sets, at the Colorado Premier Challenge in 2018.
- The Lions hit .191 in the match, including hitting .500 in the deciding fifth set. The Lion defense forced Tampa into 28 hitting errors.
- Shelley Chapron (Houston – St. Pius X) led the team with 20 kills, including 14 kills in the final two sets. She also had a team-high five blocks.
- Sydney Andersen (Placentia, Calif.) had 18 kills, including six kills in the third set. She also had four blocks.
- Bina Njikam (Keller) had eight kills while Maiya Dickie (Huntsville) had six.
- Natalie Sarbeck (Cypress – Cy-Fair) led the team with 33 assists, while Shelbi Sheppard (Emory - Rains) had 20.
- Riley Davidson (Commerce) led the team with 13 digs, while adding four kills. Savannah Rutledge (The Woodlands – College Park) added nine digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Lions got off to a hot start, scoring the first four points of the match. Tampa responded with five points in a row to take the lead away. It was part of an 8-1 run that gave the Spartans a lead. Tampa pushed its lead to as many as four before the Lions began to push back, making a late run to tie the set at 22. The Lions took a 25-24 lead before Tampa took three points in a row to take the set 27-25.
 
The Spartans took control of the second set early, quickly jumping out to an 11-point lead. The Lions tried to fight back, taking three points in a row. But it was not enough, as Tampa took the second set 25-13.
 
A&M-Commerce regained its footing in the third set, grabbing the lead early. The Spartans battled back, taking six points in a row to regain the lead. Tampa led by as many as six in the set before the Lions made a push. The Lion defense began to impact the Tampa hitters, causing multiple attack errors. The Lions cut into the lead and tied the match at 23-all. After Tampa took a point to serve for the match, the Lions rallied with three point in a row to win the set 26-24.
 
The Lions again got off to a hot start to begin the fourth set, taking six points in a row to grab an early lead. The Lions led 12-5 midway through the set. Tampa battled back with six points in a row of their own. However, the Lions responded with another rally, pushing the set out of reach. A&M-Commerce won the set 25-21.
 
It was back and forth to begin the final set, as the teams split the first eight points. A&M-Commerce then slowly built a lead, taking six of the next eight points. The Lions ended with a fury, taking the final four points to win the set 15-8.
 
HEAD COACH CRAIG CASE AFTER GAME 2

- On the team's play: "We just came off of a really emotionally draining match. That was a really emotional match for our team, and then Regis is really good and they are at home. You combine an emotional, exhausting rollercoaster, then you play a team as good as Regis, you have your work cut out for you."
- On what the team can learn from the match: "Regis played with a high level of urgency the whole match. They did what all good teams do, they learned about us from watching our first match. And they never let up; they kept their foot on the gas the whole time because they saw that we can come back on someone. They exposed some of our weaknesses in the match. We have to learn from that match. I'm really confident that this match will make us better. If it makes us better, it was worth it."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Sydney Andersen and Bina Njikam each had six kills to lead the Lions.
- Natalie Sarbeck led the team with nine assists. Riley Davidson had 13 digs.
- The Lions were held to a .011 hitting percentage in the match.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
The Lions got off to a good start in the first set, taking a 7-3 lead early on. Regis battled back and the teams were tied at 12-all midway through. The Rangers then went on a run, pushing their lead to as many as seven. The Lions could not overcome the deficit and fell 25-19.
 
It was an even start to begin the second set, as the team traded points throughout the first half of the set, as the teams were tied at 13. The Rangers then had a mini rally, taking three points in a row. The Lions attempted to battle back but could not overcome the hole, falling 25-21.
 
Regis got off to a hot start in the third set, taking five of the first seven points. The Lions fought back to cut the lead to 13-12 at the midway mark. The Rangers then began to slowly pull away, winning the set 25-19.