PIONEERS’ WIN STREAK MOVES TO NINE WITH VICTORY OVER TARLETON STATE

DENTON, TX—Texas Woman’s University (11-15) did not play their best match of the year, but it was good enough to cruise past Tarleton State (8-18) 3-0 (32-30, 30-20, 31-29) and extend their winning streak to nine matches. The TexAnns shot themselves in the foot, committing 29 hitting and seven service errors in the loss.

"The team did not play up to their potential tonight. I think they have it in their heads that the match tonight and the one coming up on Thursday are easy wins, but that kind of thinking will get us beat," head coach Shelly Barberee said. "This team should never come onto the court over-confident because that leads to lack-luster play. We need to treat every opponent as if we are playing for the conference championship."

TWU jumped out to an early 12-8 lead in game one thanks to six kills from Jenny Madrid (Panama City, Panama/Hill College), Melanie Pabalate (Fort Worth, TX/ Navarro College) and Marci Brinkman (Carrollton, TX/Newman Smith H.S.). The TexAnns battled back and knotted the game at 16-16. There were five more ties before the Pioneers got an ace from Courtney Lewis (San Antonio, TX/Panola College) and a hitting error from TSU to win the frame 32-30. In game two, TWU recorded 12 kills on only 26 attacks, but 10 hitting errors by the TexAnns propelled the Pioneers to a 2-0 lead in the match with a 30-20 win.

TSU came out firing in game three and moved out to a 5-10 lead on the strength of four kills from Crystal White. TWU rallied with an 8-2 run to take a 13-12 lead. There were three more ties and two lead changes before Heather Smith (Chino Hills, CA/ Ayala H.S.) turned in her eighth kill to give the Pioneers match point at 29-26. Two kills by Lacey Adkisson and an error by TWU allowed the TexAnns to knot the game at 29-29. Smith answered back with two straight kills to give the Pioneers a 31-29 win.

TWU finished the match with 43 kills and 17 errors on 120 swings for an attack percentage of .217. Smith and Brinkman led the Pioneers with 10 kills apiece while Lewis turned in a match-high 12 digs. Carley Messmer (Garland, TX/UT-San Antonio) recorded a match-high 34 assists and two solo blocks.

Up next, the Pioneers host LSC North Division rival Southeastern Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23. Then on Saturday, Oct. 25, Texas A&M-Commerce visits Kitty Magee Arena at 2 p.m.