STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton falls to Utah Valley in its first match of the two-match series 3-1 after forcing set four (17-25, 22-25, 25-12, 20-25).
 
Although the Texans led both teams in five main categories kills, hitting percentage, attacks, assists, and point leaders, they couldn't hold off the Wolverines. Amber Strange led in kills with 14, followed closely by Lauren Kersey who recorded 13.
 
To start the match the Texans fell behind the Wolverines early but were able to tie it up 9-9 and keep it close. Tarleton called a key timeout after and Utah Valley four-point run and bounced back with two points of their own with kills by Lauren Kersey and Amber Strange putting the Texans within two of the Wolverines. A series of three-point runs put Utah Valley on top for set one.
 
Set two started a lot like the first with Utah Valley on top but the Texans fought hard to keep the score maintainable while the Wolverines held the lead for the duration of the set. After being down 24-17 the Texans rallied and went on a 5-0 with a series of kills from Lauren Kersey, Lorin McNeil, and Amber Strange followed by a service ace from Emma Halcomb. The Wolverines called a timeout with the Texans within three and were able to capitalize with the set point.
 
Absolutely dominating set three the Texans proved they would not go down without a fight in match one. Starting out on top, the Wolverines tied it up 6-6 before the Texans went on their longest scoring run of the season scoring 10 straight points. The scoring did not stop there as the Texans held the Wolverines to only 12 points in the third set.
 
The Texans jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the fourth set, but the Wolverines quickly answered with three of their own. This set went back and forth between teams with them tying it up multiple times 11-11, 13-13, and 16-16 until the Wolverines were able to capitalize on key blocks and kills and forced the Texans to call two timeouts. Carmen Kinsey and Amber Strange had key kills late in the set but couldn't hold off the Wolverines who took set four.
 
Ana Costas led the team in digs with 17 followed by Emma Halcomb with 10. Kayla Brannon dominated offensively calculating 33 assists with 6 digs of her own. Lorin McNeil led the Texans in blocks with six with Lauren Kersey helping her out with 4.
 
The Texans are back home in Wisdom Volleyball Gym tomorrow morning Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. for match two against Utah Valley.