SAN ANGELO – Following an epic five-set postseason battle Thursday afternoon, Tarleton has advanced to its third straight Lone Star Conference Tournament semifinals but the TexAnns have their sights set on much more.
 
“We're not really on anybody's radar to win this tournament because of the tradition and the success of West Texas and Angelo,” said sophomore Katie Covell. “But we didn't come out here with the expectations of having our season ended. This team has a lot of heart and I like our chances to pull the upset.”
 
The first round of the tournament was quite an adventure for the TexAnns, who dropped the first set and were forced to play from behind on several different occasions.
 
Tarleton, however, refused to give up and found a way to win despite failing to light up the box score.
 
“We didn't play our best today, but we found a way to win through our teamwork and we learned today that when a teammate is down, we're going to be there for them and pick them up,” said junior Stacie Murrah. “A win like this gives us momentum because we're hungry for a better win.”
 
The next challenge Tarleton faces is the No. 9 team in the nation and the No. 6 team in the South Central Region – West Texas A&M.
 
Tarleton, however, has had the most success among LSC teams against the Lady Buffs over the past two seasons. The TexAnns are the only LSC team in the past two seasons to defeat WTAMU more than once, including a five-set win last year to end WT's 87-game conference winning streak and a five-set win this year for the first TexAnn win ever in Canyon.
 
“WT has tradition,” said junior setter and Amarillo native Danielle Barker. “They've won LSC championships, been to the regional tournament and Elite Eights so they know how to win big games.
 
“Over the past couple of years though, we've had some success against them,” she added. “It's a big game for us and it's going to be a dogfight for a trip to the championship.”
 
Tarleton and West Texas A&M will begin the LSC Championship semifinal match at 5 p.m. Friday from the Junell Center in San Angelo. For links to live stats and a live video feed on FoxSportsSouthwest.com, check out the Tarleton schedule or visit AngeloSports.com.