FORT WORTH, TX -- In an exhilarating encounter in Fort Worth, TX, Prairie View A&M University's volleyball team clinched a notable resolve in a 3-2 victory against the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions Friday at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena on September 13, 2024. The final scoreline read 3-2 in favor of Prairie View, marking a significant win in a neutral game setting.
The match was fiercely contested with Prairie View pulling through in a demanding five-set match. The sets ended with scores of 26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25, and 15-8. The opening set saw Prairie View securing a win with a nerve-wracking rally capped off by a service ace from Jakya Moore and strong attacks by Kylee Owens and D'Mya Hill, setting the tone for the match.
Key performances included Kylee Owens, D'Mya Hill, and Janyah Henderson who led the team in kills. Kiersten Atkinson, Aliyah Levert, and Henderson were notable for their blocks, demonstrating the team's solid defensive capabilities. Players who contributed significantly in digs were Jade Coates, Jaqueline Nino, and Owens, while Leah Lawson and Moore excelled with crucial service aces. Assists were expertly also handled by Lawson, Nino, Tayler Ruffin, and MaKinzie Taplin, ensuring efficient plays throughout.
The Lady Panthers were led by a double-double from Owens, who registered 21 kills and 20 digs on the day. D'Mya Hill also added 16 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Nino chipped in with 15 digs to go with nine blocks from Janyah Henderson.
Head Volleyball Coach Cheri Lindsay remarked on the match's intensity, "This weekend was a great opportunity for us to play against some of the top teams in the country. I was able to see my team handle some tough serves and play phenomenal defense. Today's win versus Texas A&M Commerce was a tough one. They were super scrappy and it showcased our ability to get the ball off of the floor by any means necessary. This second game against Lamar is going to be similar to Commerce defensively, so we are going to have to mix up our shots and limit errors to get the W. We have been focusing on controlling our side of the net."
Owens was named to the Fight in the Fort All-Tournament Team.
Prairie View A&M University's next challenge will be against Lamar on September 17, 2024, in Beaumont, Texas. The team aims to build on their current momentum, despite a challenging start to the season with a record of 2-8, 0-0 SWAC.
Game Notes
» Prairie View A&M had three players in double figures in digs.
» Owens had a team-high two aces in the win.
» Owens registered a double-double with 21 kills and 20 digs
» Prairie View A&M never trailed on the way to winning the fourth set 15-8.
» Owens had a match-high 21 kills for Prairie View A&M.
» Prairie View A&M attackers were helped by a team-high 21 assists from Leah Lawson.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Lady Panthers grabbed the first set 26-24 helped by a strong showing on the attacking side. Prairie View A&M put together a .343 attack percentage with 15 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands seven times, the Lady Panthers took control for good at 25-24 and rode that advantage to victory. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked six Texas A&M-Commerce attacks in the stanza.
SET 2 | Prairie View A&M won set two 25-22 to quickly take a 2-0 lead. The Lady Panthers never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 22-21 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Lady Panthers took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 3 | Prairie View A&M saw its bid for a sweep end when Texas A&M-Commerce took set three. The Lady Panthers lost the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before losing the set 25-15.
SET 4 | Prairie View A&M then dropped their second straight set 25-23 to bring the match level to two sets apiece. Texas A&M-Commerce grabbed the advantage for good at 18-17 and Prairie View A&M wasn't able to recover in a set that was knotted up six times before the Lions took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 5 | Prairie View A&M had to play five sets to seal the match win. After they grabbed a two-sets-to-none lead, Texas A&M-Commerce responded to take the third and fourth sets before the Lady Panthers finished off their victory with a 15-8 fifth-set win. The Lady Panthers led from the opening point on in set five to earn the victory. Prairie View A&M ended on a high note, opening its biggest lead of the stanza, seven points, to close out the set.
