DENTON, Texas (Nov. 3, 2023) – The Texas Woman's volleyball team recorded their third straight win and ninth Lone Star Conference win on Friday night with a four set victory over Texas A&M International.
 
TWU (17-7, 9-4) defeated TAMIU (15-10, 6-6) to start their final home stand of the regular season off with a victory. With the win, the Pioneers improve to 9-4 in LSC action – their most wins in conference play since 2019. TWU currently ranks sixth in the LSC with their 9-4 record.
 
"Tonight was a good match for both programs," TWU Volleyball Head Coach Jeff Huebner said. "While we started slow, we found maturity and toughness time and time again throughout the rest of the match. Luna got her first double-double of the season, as she continues to get better every match. Playing sets three and four so evenly with 32 ties and lead changes speaks to the level and intensity of the match and KMA brought the house down. We love the environment that Pioneer Pride, Pioneer Pep Band and our fans create at Texas Woman's University and are looking for everyone to come back out tomorrow at 2 p.m. to celebrate our senior class! This group has learned and lead throughout their four years as Pioneers, and we are excited to play in our gym one last time this year."
 
In the match, the Pioneers hit .246 on 65 kills, which ties their most kills in a match this season. Kaia Saylor led the offensive attack for TWU with 16 kills and a .412 hitting percentage. Tori Woods and Kady Hansen also both finished with double-digit kills for the Pioneers, as Woods added 14 and Hansen closed the match with 12 kills.
 
Along with her double-digit kills, Woods also added 10 digs, finishing the match with her sixth double-double of the season.
 
Joining Woods on the double-double train for the first time this season was TWU libero Luna França. She led the dig category for the Pioneers with 23 and also added 11 assists in the win, recording her first double-double of the season and a season high 11 assists.
 
Setting the Pioneers up for success on offense, Grace Reynolds and Kiana Reed both topped the Pioneer leader board with 20 or more assists. Reynolds led with 27 total assists, her 11th time this season recording 20 or more assists in a match, and Kiana Reed added 20 assists, which represented her ninth time this season with 20 or more assists.
 
Along with her setting success, Reynolds also led the way in service aces for the Pioneers with four to contribute to TWU's six overall perfect serves. Reynolds currently ranks second in the LSC in service aces, averaging 0.47 per set.
 
The match proved to be a back-and-forth close affair, as the Pioneers and Dustdevils were tied 27 times and the lead changed six times.
 
After jumping out to a slow start in set one, the Pioneers worked to chip away at the TAMIU lead. Late in the set, TWU went on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to three, 21-18. Then, after trading points, the Pioneers faced a Dustdevils' set point, 24-19. Attempting to hold off the set one loss, TWU scored three unanswered points to come within two, 24-22, but on the next point, TAMIU closed the set with a kill and won set one, 25-22.
 
After set one, the intensity continued to rise with the energy from the Pioneers high and the crowd locked in to every single point. To start set two, a kill by Saylor opened up an early 4-1 lead for the Pioneers. Then, the back-and-forth scoring commenced with no team going on longer than a 2-0 scoring run.
 
TWU started to edge ahead after back-to-back attack errors by the Dustdevils with a four point lead, 16-12. The Pioneers would never trail in set two. TAMIU came within one point, 21-20, but then three straight points by the Pioneers created the set point opportunity for TWU, 24-20.
 
After one more point scored by TAMIU, the Pioneers closed set two on a Dustdevils' attack error, 25-21, to win set two and tie the match at one set each.
 
While the entire match showcased fun volleyball and great talent, set three and four included incredibly exciting rallies and point exchanges.
 
In set three, the Pioneers were tied with TAMIU 13 different times. Every time the Dustdevils tried to make a run, TWU would quickly extinguish their momentum and score. After a Hansen kill gave the Pioneers the 19-18 advantage, the next nine points would be back-and-forth between the two teams.
 
The longest run for TWU in the final half of the set came at the key moment to end the set. With the score tied 23-23, a kill by Cara Pool and a TAMIU attack error ended the set in the Pioneers' favor, 25-23, giving TWU the 2-1 set lead.
 
Set four proved to have the same story line as set three – exciting rallies and numerous tie scores. The crowd in KMA created exciting energy to cheer the Pioneers on to a match victory.
 
TWU would not lead by more than two points in set four. Their focus and maturity to remain locked in at the end led them to the set four win. Hansen set up the Pioneers first match point chance, 25-24, but TAMIU tied it up at 25 each. After another tie at 26 each, a kill by Woods and a TAMIU attack error send KMA into a joyous roar, as the Pioneers won the match in four sets.
 
The Pioneers will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. against Texas A&M Kingsville in KMA to celebrate Senior Day.
 
TWU Head Coach Jeff Huebner shares his post-game thoughts here: https://youtu.be/wIdvk3iZniI