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HOUSTON - Prairie View A&M looked crisp in its season-opener against Southern at the Texas Southern Invitational on Friday, sweeping the Jaguars in straight sets to take the match 3-0.

The Lady Panthers received contributions from newcomers and a few returners as they  trounced Southern 25-18, 25-20, 25-19. Magda Zietek, a middle blocker and junior college transfer, led Prairie View A&M with 10 kills, taking her cues from returning senior setters Kelsey Espinosa and Monecia Preston to keep the Lady Jaguars on their heels. Zietek turned in a double-double. She led Prairie View A&M with 12 digs in her debut for Prairie View A&M. 

Espinosa and Preston kept the offense running smoothly for the Lady Panthers, controlling the tempo for hitters like junior right side Candyce Alexander and junior outside Jazmine Hicks, who turned in impressive games with five and six kills respectively. Espinosa finished with a game-high 15 assists and Preston provided 12 assists off of the bench.

Another newcomer in Jade Nelson made an impact defensively. She came through with five blocks, including two solo blocks to help alter the rate of Southern attacks.

Prairie View A&M will kick things off in the final day of the Texas Southern Invitational with a 9 a.m. match against Oral Roberts, followed by an 11 a.m. match vs. rival Texas Southern. Oral Roberts defeated Texas Southern 3-0 on Saturday to open up the tournament.