ARLINGTON – The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss to the North Texas Mean Green on Friday afternoon at the Arlington ISD Athletics Center by set scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 25-11.

"Today was a good test for our team taking on a physical UNT team," said coach Joe Morales. "Our team played the first two sets really well. It was a tough and mental battle and we did improve in areas, but still a working progress as we head into conference play." 
 
UNT led throughout the first set, leading by as much as seven in the set. The Lions tied the set four times, but never could get the set-leading point. Both teams hit below .200 in the first set, but the Mean Green took a 25-20 win.
 
The Lions led 7-4 in the second set, but the Mean Green came back to take the next four to re-take the lead. UNT quickly flipped the set to a 14-8 lead and took the final four points of the second set.
 
In the third set, the Lions trailed 5-4, but the Mean Green went on to lead 17-8 and took seven straight points to have their first match point opportunity at 24-9. A&M-Commerce fought off two match points, but UNT took the match, 25-11.
 
Essence Allen (Longview – Tatum) totaled six kills to lead the team, while Breann Connally (Coolidge – Groesbeck) had 12 assists, as well as both Yasmin Figueiredo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Peyton Roper (Converse – Judson) had three blocks each. Jade Smith (Houston – Mayde Creek) recorded 10 digs.
 
Ceci Harness had a double-double for UNT with 22 assists and 11 digs.
 
The Lions are 4-9 overall, while the Mean Green improve to 5-7. In the Division I era, UNT is 2-0 against A&M-Commerce, both wins have come in Arlington.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions face UT Arlington on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the final non-conference match of the year.