DENTON, Texas (Oct. 13, 2018) – Texas Woman's nearly slayed Lone Star Conference giant Tarleton State Saturday, taking them to five sets but failing to strike the killing blow (25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 25-21, 9-15).
"I think that our kids love playing against the top teams in our conference," TWU head coach Jeff Huebner said. "That's something that our culture is excited about, to participate in the highest level of competition in Division II. We relish the opportunity."
The Pioneers (14-9, 6-7 LSC) maintained a steady lead on the TexAnns (20-2, 12-0 LSC) in the first set, coming out strong with a string of attacks from the front line that kept Tarleton struggling to defend. Freshman Trixie Oche and junior Courtney Noel kept up pressure at the net while the TWU back line filled in with digs. A final attack error off of a serve from junior Maggie Pyles gave the Pioneers the first set, 25-19.
"Our kids came hot out of the gate," Huebner said. "You know when you're playing one of the top thirty programs in the country that, if you don't execute, they're going to make you pay. I was proud of our kids, they worked really hard today."
It was a contest of defenses in the second set, with Texas Woman's hit percentage dropping from .326 to .143. Noel rallied toward the end of the set and drove home a few kills past the TexAnns' front line, but TWU couldn't prevent TSU from taking the set, 20-25.
The third set saw both teams drop in hit percentage with TWU registering a few more errors that Tarleton State. Sophomore Paris Cosley took charge on offense, doubling her attacks from the previous two sets and tallying four much-needed kills. It would not be enough to drive back the TexAnns, however, who took the set 20-25 on a service aces.
"We're right there and we're really close," Huebner said. "We're playing some of the best competition in the country and we're neck and neck, so that's encouraging."
The Pioneers wouldn't settle for a four-set match and increased their intensity, cranking their hitting percentage to .302 from .104. TWU led the match for most of the set. Freshman Isabel Vega came out like a powerhouse putting down six kills for the Pioneers. A final block by Oche gave the Pioneers the set, 25-21, and extended the match.
"We went with a little bit of a different lineup in the fourth set adding Isabel Vega in a situation where we really needed her," Huebner said. "She always plays with great passion and energy, and she adds a great deal of power to that outside position."
It was a close competition early in the fifth set, but Pioneer errors allowed the TexAnns to pick up the lead and hold onto it, despite strong performances from Vega and Noel. In the end, the Pioneers just couldn't rally, hitting a dismal -.038 percentage and falling in the final set, 9-15.
The TexAnns outhit the Pioneers overall .209 to .185. Noel led the charge on kills, totaling 16 throughout the match, with freshman Taylor Frederick leading in attacks at 45. Junior Katy Ranes brought home a double-double with 51 assists and 13 digs, while junior Bailey French slipped to second in digs, bringing in 26 to Tarleton libero Knutson's 27. Cosley had a career afternoon, setting personal records for kills, points, digs and blocks in a match.
"Paris Cosley, this was her best match as a Pioneer," Huebner said. "She filled in and played a position she hasn't played a lot of in her life, but has played well for us."
Texas Woman's is at home Tuesday against Texas A&M – Commerce (18-5, 10-3 LSC) at 6 p.m. in Lone Star Conference competition.
