TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 6, 2024) – In the Sunshine State, the Texas Woman's volleyball team opened their season against No. 2 Tampa.

After winning set two, 25-22, TWU (0-1) forced Tampa (1-0) to four sets, before falling 25-23 in the final set.

The Pioneers closed the match with 50 total kills and hit .239. Additionally, they recorded four total blocks. On the other side of the net, the Spartans finished with 69 kills and hit .364. They also added seven total blocks.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Senior Erin Jones led the way in attack for TWU with 12 kills. Junior Myracle Stockman joined Jones with double digit kills, finishing the match with 11.
• TWU finished with two total service aces – one from Lizzy Reed and one from Grace Reynolds.
• Reynolds led the way in assists with 22, and Kiana Reed finished in double digits with 14.
• Three Pioneers contributed more than 10 digs – Reynolds and Luna França each had 12 and Tori Woods recorded 11.
• Stockman led the way for TWU in hitting percentage, averaging .455 on 22 total attacks.

KEY MOMENTS

• In the first set, Tampa opened with a 4-0 run. The Pioneers got within five off a kill by Woods, 12-7. TWU would mount a late 4-0 run to get within five again, 16-11, but TWU would fall in set one, 25-17.
• After falling in set one, TWU responded with fire in set two, taking an early 4-1 lead.
• The score would be tied eight times in set two. After a 16-6 tie, the Pioneers would break it open, starting with a Spartans' service error and followed by a kill by Cara Pool. An attack error by Tampa set up set point for TWU. Then, a kill by Jones would seal the first set win of 2024 for TWU.
• Over the course of the match, TWU capitalized on 11 service errors from Tampa.
• Tampa responded in set three with a 5-0 run to start. An ace by Reynolds and kill by Jones would bring the Pioneers within five, 15-10, in set three. Tampa would go on to win set three, 25-15.
• The Pioneers scored the first two points of set four. After a kill by Malia Viernes, the Pioneers led 6-4 in the set.
• Tampa led in set four 8-6, after a 4-0. Then, the Pioneers quieted them with three straight points – a run which was started with a well-placed ball over the net by Reed.
• TWU tied the score three times late in set four.
• The Spartans faced match point, 24-22, and TWU capitalized on an error by Tampa to cut the score to 24-23, but Tampa closed the match 25-23.
• Check out highlights from these moments above. 

FROM HEAD COACH JESSICA RANSOM

"I'm proud of our performance tonight," Ransom said. "We went toe-to-toe with a fantastic team and saw a lot of good things on our side of the net. We learned a lot tonight and will take those learning points forward through season."

NEXT UP  

The Pioneers continue their opening weekend at the 2024 Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Volleyball Classic tomorrow with two matches. They will face Hillsdale at 12:15 p.m. Then, they will close out the Classic against New Haven at 4:15 p.m.