NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team was downed, 3-0, by the Northwestern State Lady Demons on Tuesday night via set scores of 25-20, 25-12, and 25-16, at Prather Coliseum.
 
Northwestern State defended its home court to split the season series against A&M-Commerce. In the four meetings between the two teams since the Lions joined the Southland Conference, the home team has won each time.
 
The Lions have now lost four of their last five to fall to 5-7 in SLC action, while Northwestern State is 8-5 in Southland action, with six matches remaining in the regular season for A&M-Commerce.

Coach Joe Morales said, "we had a game plan and unfortunately we could not execute it. Northwestern State was beyond ready for us and we had no focus. Our defense and offense both struggled, hitting error after hitting error was the theme for us tonight." 

"We need to not forget about this one and quickly get ready for the next two." 
 
The first five points of the match went to A&M-Commerce, but the Lady Demons went on a 10-2 run to take a 13-10 lead. With the set tied at 18, Northwestern State surrendered just two more points in the set and took the set by winning three points in a row.
 
The second set started with both teams exchanging points until the Lady Demons used a 11-2 run to take a commanding 15-7 lead and won the set by taking six of the final seven points. Northwestern State had the 0.345 to 0.059 hitting percentage advantage in the second set.
 
The Lions trailed 15-14 in the third set, but only two more points were allowed by the Lady Demons the rest of the match, winning the final six points of the match.
 
Essence Allen (Longview – Tatum) led the team with 10 kills and came up just short of a double-double with nine digs. Jade Smith (Houston – Mayde Creek) had 17 digs, Breann Connally (Coolidge – Groesbeck) had 20 assists, and Peyton Roper (Converse – Judson) recorded seven kills.
 
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The Lions return home to host New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.