Sept. 30, 2005

COMMERCE - The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's volleyball team didn't pull out the victory Thursday night at home against Texas Woman's. But it wasn't for a lack of enthusiasm.

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The Lions came back to win games three and four, falling 6-0 down in the decisive fifth game and eventually working to a 13-all tie. Robin Hawkins and Nicole Everett then put the hopes of a Lion comeback to rest with two quick kills to give them a 15-13 Game 5 win.

The loss moved the Lions to 0-2 in the Lone Star Conference North Division, a difficult bind with Midwestern State in town Saturday.

The Indians have put together a 14-6 overall record, already tying their 1996 and 2003 school records for the most wins in a season since joining Division II. They too lost Thursday to a quickly improving Southeastern Oklahoma State team.

But no matter the records, Saturday's match should be quite entertaining. MSU lost in four games when they visited the Field House last year--only to return the favor in the season finale at Wichita Falls with a 5-game squeaker. In fact, it was in the last match of the season in which Jackie Orr set a school record for assists in a match with 72.

Both teams have some catching up to do in the LSC North. The Lions will be looking for their first win, and both will be avoiding their third loss. If the first two contests at the Field House are any indication, it shouldn't be a quick exit for either side.

For the Lions, Jane Latu, a transfer from Mineral Area (Mo.) JC, has shined at her newly minted home. The Wautaga native has averaged more than eight kills per game in the two 5-game matches played in Commerce. She also leads the team in scoring with 3.14 kills per game.

Colleen Favaro has the 10th highest hitting percentage in the conference at 24.3 percent. And with the wider distribution of attackers, her total attempts her are down from her freshman season but her success rate has jumped more than 20 percent from 2004.

Libero Jackie Orr averages 3.75 digs per game, the highest figure for any Lion in at least the past five seasons. The 5-foot-6 sophomore ranks second on the team in attacking percentage and has 13 services aces.

Freshman Brittany Williams leads the Lions with 22 aces. Her scoring is third on the team at 2.31 kills per game. She also boasts 3.24 digs per game.

THE INDIANS

Shay Velasquez was named the LSC North Offensive Player of the Week, scoring 17 kills in the school's first win over Cameron in 15 years, a 3-game sweep. She also scored 11 aces and 41 digs on the week.

MSU is second in the conference for hitting percentage with a 26.6 clip. They're also behind Abilene Christian in kills (15.46) and second to Southeastern Oklahoma State in digs at 19.17 per game.

Candice main has a 38.5 attack percentage good for 3.78 kills per game. Freshman setter Allison Schreiber averages 11.29 assists per game.

THE SERIES

The Lions hold the all-time series edge with an 11-7 record dating back to 1978. The last time they met, MSU won in five games.

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