HOUSTON– Despite solid performances in both of its matches, the Prairie View A&M University volleyball team lost a pair of games to host team Houston Baptist (3-0) and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (3-0) Friday, at the HBU Tournament at Sharp Gym.
 
"These were our first games of the season," said PVAMU head volleyball coach TaCho Tyler.  "As we get into mid-season and go into the SWAC tournament, the types of things we did today will help us a lot. The thing we need to work on is definitely being disciplined.  We can only control the things that we can control, which is ourselves."
 
The Lady Panthers began the afternoon with a loss to Houston Baptist.  Transfers Jaylan Thomas and Tamaira Armstrong led the team with seven kills.  Junior Erica Jimenez led the team with seven assists and Kayla Long led the team on the defensive side with 10 digs.
 
"The first set was really close and we came out playing really well," Tyler said.  "Passing, setting and hitting was on point, but our blocking was not where we needed it to be, so that's how we ended up losing that first set.  When we got into sets two and three everything just went down, but we had some good rallies, but HBU came out on top."
 
The Lady Panthers carried a momentum of urgency in the game against UTRGV.  In a hotly contested match PVAMU fell 3-0.  Tamia Hightower and CeTara Carter notched seven kills apiece, Jimenez placed two aces across the net, along with 11 assists.  SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Christen Augustine and Joycelyn Nunez had eight digs apiece. 
 
"With a team like UT Rio Grande Valley, you have to be disciplined," said Tyler.  "We have to capitalize were we can.  Overall, I'm not too upset. We played well and as we go on, I believe we have something to build on.  With time and experience, these games should turn into W's."
 
The team will return to action when they face La. Tech, Saturday at 12:30 p.m. to wrap up their weekend at the HBU Tournament 
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