PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – A long non-conference schedule of frustration and growth finally paid off for the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers on Thursday, as they swept Grambling State for their first victory of the season.
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Scores of the match were 25-11, 25-15, and 25-21.
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Four Lady Panthers tied for the match-high with seven kills against Grambling State;
MoKeysha Shanklin and
Randi Hunter led the way with only two errors amongst their seven kills.
Sydney Walker and
Christen Augustine also added seven kills.
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Ana Kiso handed out a match-high 25 assists for the Lady Panthers (1-17, 1-1 SWAC West) to go along with four kills and three block assists. Augustine led the defensive effort with 11 digs.
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Javienna Jones led Grambling (5-12, 0-2 SWAC West) with seven kills.
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Prairie View A&M gave its fans a fairly early indication that its season-long losing streak was about to end Thursday. After trading points with GSU and building a 9-8 lead in set one, the Lady Panthers reeled off eight consecutive points and 11 of the next 12 to take a 20-9 lead.
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Walker had two kills during that stretch, as did
Calli Jordan Hensch. Walker would also add two kills during PVAMU's run of five consecutive points to end the set.
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The Lady Panthers used a 6-0 run early in the set two to establish a 10-4 lead and set the tempo for the middle frame. Hensch served three of her match-high four aces during that stretch.
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After the mid-match break, the Lady Tigers fought to keep pace with the home team, and had their sights set on a fourth set. But the Lady Panthers used a 4-1 run late in set three to establish a 21-16 lead, which proved to be too much for the visitors to overcome.
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Hensch finished the match with five kills and four blocks – one solo and three assisted. Walker recorded eight digs, while
Marina Martinez and
Paige Chuidian registered five digs and four digs, respectively.
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The Lady Panthers return to action Tuesday when they host Huston-Tillotson to close a four-match homestand. Match time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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MATCH NOTES: