DENVER, Colo.– The No. 20 Texas A&M University-Commerce split their two matches at the Colorado Premier Challenge on Saturday. The Lions defeated West Florida 3-1 in the first match before falling in five sets to No. 12 Central Missouri later in the day.
 
The results bring the Lions to 5-3 on the season, as they finish 2-2 at the Colorado Premier Challenge. The Lions will now get set for their home opening match, which is also the first game of Lone Star Conference play. The Lions will host Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Field House.
 
Season tickets for all 12 Lion Volleyball home matches are available by visiting WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours.
 
HEAD COACH CRAIG CASE AFTER GAME 1
- On getting some key contributions off the bench: "I thought there were three key people we had play well today. We started Nicki and Maiya and they gave us really good energy. Maiya helped us on the defensive side and Nicki also gave us a spark. And Madison Luther also had a great match. I felt those three were really big difference makers in the match and they helped us win."
- How they got the win: "The biggest difference is we got them out of system when we were serving and when we were attacking. West Florida is a good attacking team and a good blocking team. But when we got them out of system, that really got us going. We were aggressive but we weren't reckless. If we can continue to find a way to play like that going forward, that will be a good thing for us."
- On keeping UWF's runs small: "I thought our setters did a good job of making sure we did not lose too many point in a row. They showed some good urgency and that was a big difference between what happened yesterday against Regis and what happened today."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Sydney Andersen (Placentia, Calif.) led the Lions with 11 kills in the match.
- Shelley Chapron (Houston – St. Pius X) had nine kills, while also recording six blocks and three aces.
- Bina Njikam (Keller) had nine kills and four blocks while Nicki Gonelli (Round Rock – Stony Point) had nine kills and five blocks.
- Madison Luther (Sealy) had seven kills while Maiya Dickie (Huntsville) added five.
- Natalie Sarbeck (Cypress – Cy-Fair) had 21 assists while Shelbi Sheppard (Emory - Rains) had 20 assists and added a pair of aces.
- Savannah Rutledge (The Woodlands – College Park) had 23 digs while Daniela Santos (Caracas, Venezuela) added 11 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
West Florida took an early lead before the Lions bounced back. Njikam had several kills early and the Lions scored six points in a row to take a 12-6 lead. After the Argonauts cut the Lion lead to just two, A&M-Commerce again, taking nine of the next 11 points to put the set our of reach. The Lions won the set 25-19.
 
Multiple errors to begin the second set put the Lions in the hole, as West Florida scored 10 of the first 11 points of the set. The Lions went on a small rally to cut into the Argo lead but could not completely cut into the deficit, falling 25-15 in the set.
 
The teams traded small rallies as it was an evenly matched beginning to the third set. With the match tied at 8-all, Luther and Gonelli combined for a pair of kills to give the Lions a 13-9 lead. After UWF tied the set again, it was Njikam who had the hot hand, notching multiple kills to give A&M-Commerce back the lead. This time, the Lions were able to sustain the momentum, taking the set 25-21.
 
It was another even start in the fourth set, as the teams traded mini runs. The Lions then went on a run, with a pair of kills from Luther to take a 10-6 lead. The Argos fought back to cut the Lion lead to one point before the Lions again went on a run. The Lions scored nine of the final 12 points to take the set 25-17.
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Shelley Chapron and Sydney Andersen both had 13 kills in the match. Bina Njikam added eight kills.
- Daniela Santos had six aces in the match while Natalie Sarbeck had three aces to go with her team-high 29 assists.
- Savannah Rutledge, Riley Davidson (Commerce) and Santos all had double-digit digs in the match.
- The Lions were held to a .107 hitting percentage while UCM hit .197.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
It was an even start both squads, as midway through the set, the Lions held a 13-12 lead. The Lions then started a run, taking five point in a row to cement their lead. A pair of aces from Sarbeck helped the Lions finish the set, winning 25-17.
 
The teams traded the first 10 points of the second set before UCM began to go on a run, taking six of the next eight points. The Lions battled back to tie the set at 23 before the Jennies took the final two points to win 25-23.
 
The Lions got off to a hot start in the third set, taking six of the first nine points. UCM battled back and went on a 8-0 run to take command of the set. The Lions could not cut into the lead, falling 25-19.
 
The teams traded rallies early in the fourth set before the Lions went on a 7-2 run to lead 15-10 in the set. The Lions then finished the set on a 7-1 run to win the set 25-15.
 
The Jennies quickly took control of the final set, jumping ahead 9-3 early. The Lions fought back to get within three points but could not get back in, falling 15-9.