COMMERCE – In the Southland Conference opener at the Hunt Regional Healthcare Court in the Field House on Thursday night, the East Texas A&M University volleyball team fell in three sets to the Houston Christian Huskies via set scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-17.
 
The loss for the Lions drops them to 0-1 in Southland play and snaps a two-match losing streak, while the Huskies are 6-8 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
 
The Lions started out leading in the first set, but HCU used a 5-1 run to take an 8-6 lead. Despite East Texas A&M winning two points in a row to come within 18-17, HCU took the next four. The Lions fought off two set points, but a kill from Archie Allana gave Huskies the first set.
 
HCU took the first four points of the second set and led 14-5. A 9-0 scoring run followed for the Lions, who tied the set at 14. Both teams exchanged points until the second set being tied at 23. HCU used back-to-back kills, including one from Euhus Joya on set point to take the second set.
 
The Huskies once again pulled ahead in the third set, leading 14-7 and closed out the match on a kill by Joya, winning four of the final five points of the match.
 
Gracie Campbell (Klein Oak) had team-best 14 kills, followed by 10 from Zoe Ruskofsky (Clovis, Calif.). Haley Mullaney (Victory Christian Academy) had 24 assists, and 14 digs came from Jade Washington (Waco – Midway), while Rendi Fetty (Farmersville) had 12.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions end the home stand at 1 p.m. on Saturday against UIW. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.