The Texas A&M International University volleyball team was firing on all cylinders Thursday night as they hosted conference opponent Oklahoma Panhandle State. Freshman Alex Ciszekled the Dustdevils to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-12) win over the Aggies as TAMIU kicked off a four game home stretch.
“Alex was awesome tonight,” said junior setter Daria Winckler. “Not only was she throwing down kills but she had a great seven-point run serving in game two and those kind of momentum swings are always huge.”
Ciszek set the tone for the Dustdevils hammering seven kills and picking up five digs. Junior Andrea Marshallwas solid once again finishing with seven kills and seven digs while setter Daria Wincklerfinished with 24 assists and 6 digs.
TAMIU dropped the opening two points of the first game, which proved to be the only point in the opening set they would trail. The Dustdevils took 11 of the next 14 points increasing the score to 11-5. Lisa Lancaster, who made a splash off the bench, finished off the game with a kill assisted by Winckler to give TAMIU the opening set 25-15.
In a repeat of the opening frame, OPSU jumped out in front early but the Dustdevils would storm back to take the lead 8-6. At that point Ciszek took over going on a seven-point run and crushing the Aggies’ hopes in the second set. Miranda Prattended the 25-14 set with a kill set up by junior Jacquelynne Matula.
OPSU was able to keep the final game close until 10-8 before TAMIU exploded. The Dustdevils scored on 15 of the next 19 points to close out the match winning 25-12.
As the team prepares for their next three home games, two against conference opponents, Winckler says Thursday’s win was a great opportunity to fine tune their game, “Tonight really allowed us to apply all the things we’ve been working on in practice and to prepare for our next few games. I think everyone on the team knows how important it is to win at home and we’re all feeling really confident.”
With the win TAMIU improves to 2-1 in conference play, 5-8 overall. The ladies are home Saturday versus UT Permian Basin, then face Incarnate Word and St. Mary’s.
(TAMIU Sports Information Director Michael Blake michael.blake@tamiu.edu)