The 11th-seeded TAMUK volleyball team was knocked out of the Lone Star Conference tournament by Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) on Tuesday night in three sets (25-22,26-24,25-19).
TAMUK grabbed the first run of the game, scoring seven of the first 11 points and jumping out to a 7-4 lead. They kept the pressure on and carried their advantage to 15-11. The home team picked up their first lead of the game when they won the 22nd point. UAFS would win three of the next four services and pick up the first-set victory.
The second set’s early momentum belonged to the Javelinas, who jumped out to a 5-2 lead. The Lions would respond swiftly. Down 8-6, the home team won eight of the next nine services, then followed that streak with a 6-1 run that gained them a 21-13 advantage. Three blocks and a kill from Talleyshia Morris sparked an 11-2 run that tied the score at 24, but the Lions would pick up the next two points and the set-win.
The Blue and Gold fell behind early in the third set, 15-4, but the 11-point deficit wouldn’t last long. A 4-0 run, followed by a 6-1 surge that cut the Lion’s lead down to 20-16. The comeback was stifled by a 5-2 run that clinched the victory for UAFS.
Senior Melanie Casteel led the Javelinas in kills with 11. Meghan Merlino followed closely behind with 10 kills of her own. Sophmore Lauren Kadilis fed the offensive attack with 15 assists, and junior Roxanne Morris helped out at the net with 14 assists.
Nicole Murff and Roxanne Morris led the defensive effort with 12 digs a-piece.