Aggie Volleyball will return to Texas for two Heartland Conference games this week against UTPB and Lubbock Christian.—Alyssa Kinser photo (9/5/2015)
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Box Score 2 San Antonio, Texas—As if the travels weren't grueling enough the OPSU Volleyball team endured two tough Heartland Conference losses in a three-game road tour in Texas.
Following the loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday, the Aggies proceeded to Laredo where they met up with the Dustdevils of Texas A&M-International on Thursday. Though the Aggies progressively improved with each set, they were taken in three by TAMIU (14-25, 20-25 and 27-29).
After giving up an 11-11 tie on a service error, the Aggies were taken down in set one by the Dustdevils who landed five service aces in the game. The Aggies fought back and were within reach in the second set when attack errors sent points the other way and led to another TAMIU win. A competitive set three sent the game to extra points but fell in favor of the home team with a 29-27 Dustdevil win.
Madigan Gonzales led the team in hitting against TAMIU with nine kills on 25 attacks; Gonzales totaled 11 points including two block assists and one ace. Libero
Alison Holcomb totaled 13 digs followed by Gonzales who landed ten.
Julia Ibarra contributed 13 assists in the match.
In Friday's performance against St. Mary's the Aggies looked to have a solid start taking a 10-2 lead in the first set on five straight serves from
Madigan Gonzales. The Rattlers struck after a service error on a 15-15 tie and took control for the remainder of the set. OPSU proved their power in set two giving the Rattlers a battle til the end as it came down to the final two serves; an error for the Aggies and an ace for St. Mary's. Down much of the third set, the Aggies fought to a 16-16 tie but could not edge into the lead and left with a loss for the match.
Emily Goeken led against St. Mary's with nine kills and one block assist for a total of 9.5 points. Holcomb finished with 11 digs and Ibarra offered 15 assists for the Aggies, a game-high.
The Aggies will head back to Texas this week to continue conference play taking on Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa on Thursday and Lubbock Christian on Friday. Live stats and video links are available on the Volleyball Schedule page of the OPSU Aggie Athletics website.
The team will return to the Oscar Williams Field House on Sunday, Oct. 4 for a PINK OUT match against Texas A&M-International; first serve will begin at Noon.
