Oct. 5, 2007

Box Score

The Texas A&M-Commerce volleyball team won a five-game thriller over host Southwestern Oklahoma in Friday's first match of the SWOSU Classic. In the win, A&M-Commerce rallied from a two games-to-one advantage by the host Savage Storm as the Lions were victorious 30-24, 18-30, 23-30, 30-23, 15-10.

The Lions (7-11) had three players record double-digit kills, including a match-high 19 from senior Colleen Favaro. The middle blocker from San Antonio, who ranks 20th in the nation in kills per game, led an A&M-Commerce attack that out hit the host Savage Storm, .116 to .109. She also recorded her seventh double-double of the season with a season-high 22 digs in the win; in addition, she had two service aces and four blocks.

Southwestern Oklahoma (9-12) had four players who recorded double-digit kills, including a team-high 17 from Kasandra Gurtner, who also added 16 digs in the defeat.

A key to the Lions victory was the Lions frontline, who matched a season-high with 12 blocks. Senior Wannie Neal had seven block solos to go along with 11 kills in the win. Along with Favaro, sophomore Brittany Williams and freshman Terra Ousley added four blocks apiece.

In the final two games, the Lions out hit the Savage Storm .173 to .045. In game four, Favaro had five kills and freshmen Rachel Lance and Ousley each had four kills to pace an attack that hit at a match-high .273 clip. In the decisive fifth game, Williams had two service aces as A&M-Commerce raced out to an 8-3 lead.