DENTON, Texas (September 16, 2022) - The Texas Woman's volleyball team started off strong in Lone Star Conference play defeating St. Mary's in five sets Friday night in Kitty Magee Arena. 

With tonight's win against STMU (4-8, 0-1), TWU (10-3, 1-0) extended their winning streak to nine straight wins in KMA, making the Pioneers1-0 in LSC action. 

The Pioneer's battled point-for-point in the first set to claim their 29-27 victory. The story was different in the second set however, as the Pioneers fell 28–26 in the second set to St. Mary's. After falling behind late in the third set to the Rattlers set point, TWU continued to persevere, solidifying their 2-1 lead with the 28-26 set three victory. . 

Slow to start in the fourth set, the Pioneers could not recover from their 13-point deficit, giving set four to St. Mary's 25-12. It all came down to the last set, as TWU held St. Mary's to only three points in set five, closing out the match 15–3. 

Tori Woods led the Pioneers tonight with 20 kills and 21 points, followed by 10 kills from Trixie Oche who closed the night hiting .450. 

Lizzy Reed and Yanely Pabon both recorded 26 digs to lead the Pioneers. Lizzy Reed provided the Pioneers with great opportunities to score, ringing in 31 assists. 

At the net, Cara Pool dished out two solo blocks, leading tonight with a total of three. Lexi Williams and Oche also had their fair share of solo blocks, both recording one momentum changing blocks throughout the match. 

Luna van Baars registered eight points for the Pioneer's, while pitching in on the back court with six digs. 

The Pioneers will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. versus St. Edwards (3-8, 0-1). 

Watch Head Volleyball Coach Jeff Huebner in a post game interview as he talks about the keys to success from tonight's match: https://youtu.be/FCKp6K_9XQE
 

-PIONEERS-