PIONEERS GET REVENGE ON TARLETON STATE

STEPHENVILLE, TX—Texas Woman’s University (6-15) and Tarleton State (6-14) recorded the same number of digs, 39, and the same attack percentage, .219, but the difference in the match was service aces. The Pioneers recorded a season-high 16 service aces en route to a 3-1 (25-30, 33-31, 31-29, 30-15) victory over the TexAnns. The win erased a 3-2 loss to TSU at the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament on Sept. 27.

"We came out in game one and did not play very well. This was a difficult place to play because the fans are right on top of you and it is very loud," head coach Shelly Barberee said. "The team came back to win the second and third games after being down, then the momentum switched to us and we closed out the match. The team is tired right now because of all of the traveling, but we finally get to come home and play a few matches in front of our own fans. It will be nice to come home riding a four-match winning streak."

TSU was hitting on all cylinders in game one as they recorded 17 kills and only three errors for an attack percentage of .438. The Pioneers, on the other hand, struggled with 10 hitting errors and lost the first frame 25-30. Game two was very close as both teams combined for 33 kills, but TWU recorded four less hitting errors and staved off one match point to win 33-31. In the third frame, the Pioneers came from a 10-point deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the match with a 31-29 victory. The TexAnns spirit was broke after losing two close games as TWU walked away with the match by winning game four 30-15. The Pioneers hit a match-high .471 with 18 kills and two errors on 34 swings in the final game.

TWU finished with 60 kills and 26 errors on 155 swings for a .219 attack percentage. Three Pioneers finished the match in double figures in hitting with Heather Smith (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala HS) leading the way with 18 kills. Jenny Madrid (Panama City, Panama/Hill College) chipped in with 12 kills while Courtney Lewis (San Antonio, TX/Panola College) added 10. Carley Messmer (Garland, TX/UT-San Antonio) finished with a game-high 24 assists while Paz Diaz (Truth or Consequences, NM/N.M. Military Institute) totaled a match-high 13 digs.

Up next, the Pioneers return home for the first time since Aug. 30 to face Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Oct. 11. The match will begin at 2 p.m. in Kitty Magee Arena.