COMMERCE - The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team enters the business end of the season, playing three matches this week to begin Southland Conference play, including two at home.
LIONS' SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
STREAK SNAPPED AGAINST THE TIGERS
The Lions entered last Friday's match against Tennessee State on a seven-match losing streak, but the skid was snapped with a five-set win over Tennessee State. The Lions took the first two sets, while the Tigers won the next two to force a fifth set. WIth the fifth set win, A&M-Commerce is now 2-1 in five-set matches this year. In the win, both
Ellie Baumert (Dodge, Neb.) and
Reese Fetty (Farmersville) recorded double-doubles in the win.
TOUGH PATCH ON THE ROAD
The Lions started the season 2-1 at home as part of the Lion Invitational, but are still searching for their first true road win, after falling in all three matches at both the Pirate Invitational in East Carolina and the Fight In the Forth, hosted by TCU, and falling to both Houston and Ole Miss at the Cougar Challenge. The only win away from home this season was the win over Tennessee State.
STRONG START TO THE SEASON
After dropping the season opener to Little Rock, the Lions caught fire to down Central Arkansas in five sets and Tarleton in four to start 2-1 to start the season, which was the program's best start to a season since the spring 2021 season.
SMITH CATCHES FIRE
Jade Smith (Houston - Mayde Creek) totaled 79 digs in the three matches at the Lion Invitational, recording just three receiving errors, which was the best in the Southland. As a result, Smith was named the conference's first Defensive Player of the Week, the first of the year. She had 29 in the win over Central Arkansas and 23 in the win over Tarleton. She was also named to the all-tournament team at TCU.
WILKS CAN'T MISS
Avery Wilks (Mont Belvieu - Barbers Hill) was near-perfect in the win over the Texans, recording 10 kills in 11 attempts. For her performance in the Lion win, Wilks was named to the Lion Invitational All-Tournament team.
RARE START AT HOME
The Lion Invitational marked the first time the Lions are beginning the season at home in a non-COVID affected season since 2009. The other three teams in the Lion Invitational are Little Rock, Central Arkansas, and Tarleton. The last time the Lions opened at home was the spring 2021 season.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions head on the road for four straight matches, playing at Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, A&M-Corpus Christi, and UTRGV.
HELLO NEW LIONS
This season, the Lions debut nine newcomers in the lineup. Of the nine newcomers, two are freshmen, while seven are transfers. The freshmen for the program this year are
Semaj Cox (Missouri City - Elkins) and
Nevaeh Smith (San Antonio - O'Connor), while the transfers are
Ellie Baumert (Dodge, Neb.) from Texas Tech,
Brooke Box (Klein Collins) from UTRGV,
Kylie Bray (Concordia Lutheran) from Blinn College,
Gracie Campbell (Klein Oak),
Savannah Jennings (Rosehill Christian) from Lee,
MJ Klaumann (Emerald Isle, N.C.) from USC Upstate, and
Maselina Tuufuli (Saint Hedwig - Steele) from Pepperdine.
Baumert, Campbell, and Tuufuli competed for the Lions during the spring season.
GOING STREAKING
This season, the Lions are looking to make the postseason for the 13
th season in a row, which is the longest active streak of any program at A&M-Commerce.
TIDE ROLLED
Last season, A&M-Commerce downed Alabama in a five-set match on September 8 for A&M-Commerce's first win over a Power Five conference opponent. The Lions fell behind 2-1 in the match, but took the final two sets. It is the first ever win over an SEC opponent in school history in any sport. This Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss marks the first meeting against a SEC opponent since then.
BLAZERS TAMED
Last year, the Lions followed the win over Alabama with a win over UAB the next day. The Blazers took the first set, but A&M-Commerce took the next three sets, including a comeback from being down 23-17 in the second set.
A NEW-LOOK SOUTHLAND
The Southland Conference adds two members this season in Stephen F. Austin and UTRGV. In the preseason SLC poll, the Ladyjacks, a 2023 NCAA Tournament participant, were picked to win the SLC, while the Vaqueros were picked second. The Lions were picked 10th by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
2024 Preseason Southland Volleyball Poll
- SFA – 233 (17)
- UTRGV – 212 (3)
- Southeastern – 207 (2)
- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 198
- HCU – 159 (2)
- McNeese – 144
- Northwestern State – 120
- UIW – 89
- New Orleans – 74
- A&M-COMMERCE – 70
- Lamar – 53
- Nicholls – 25
WE MEET AGAIN
The 2023 season ended with a three-set loss to the Lady Demons in the SLC Tournament for the Lions. Both teams begin conference play on Tuesday as the Lions search for their first win over NSU away from Commerce.
SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
This offseason, the Lions once again received the AVCA Team Academic Award, marking the seventh consecutive year that the Lions received the award, while also being among the top 20 percent in NCAA Division I.
RIVALRY RE-IGNITED WITH THE TEXANS
August 31 marked a historic moment for the Lions as they hosted Tarleton for the first time since 2018, the two rivals had played five times since, with four of the matches in Stephenville and a 3-0 win for the Texans at UAB last season. The Lions are now 2-1 over the Texans in the Division I era for both teams, while the Texans are 24-23 all-time against the Lions.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Northwestern State is 5-4 on the season, which includes notable non-conference wins over Jacksonville and Louisiana. Reaghan Thompson leads the team with an average of 3.94 kills per set, while Teresa Garza is averaging 3.84 kills per set, Gabby Seeds has 273 assists, and Deja Benjamin has 42 blocks. Three Lady Demons are averaging over 3.0 digs per set, with Ashlyn Svoboda leading the way at 3.85 digs per set. Last season, the Lions won in five at home over the Lady Demons, but lost in straights at both the road match in Natchitoches and in the SLC Tournament.
Thursday serves as the first conference match for the Lions, welcoming UIW, who is 7-3 on the season. The Cardinals have picked up wins over Sam Houston, Prairie View A&M, UTSA, and McNeese. Risa Sena is the team leader with 3.31 kills per set, while Calissa Allison has 208 assists on the year, who also leads the team with an average of 3.08 digs per set. The Cardinals won in five in San Antonio last year, while the Lions won in five at home. The road loss at San Antonio snapped a six-match winning streak in the series for the Lions.
McNeese is off to a 4-8 start, having beating Southern, ULM, Florida A&M, and Tarleton. The Lions are yet to beat the Cowgirls since joining the SLC. Offensively for the Cowgirls, McKenzie Moore is averaging team-best 4.0 kills per set, Megan Grose has 245 assists, and defensively, SLC Libero the Year, Bailey Tillman is averaging 4.26 digs per set. In the five meetings since the Lions joined the SLC, A&M-Commerce has won just three sets.
-TAMUC-
