The University of Texas of the Permian Basin rebounded after dropping the first set of the night to win the next three and secure a win in its home and Heartland Conference opener 3-1 Thursday night over Texas A&M International.

Despite trailing by as many as seven late in the first set, the Falcons fought back to get back into the set with a five point rally featuring three kills from Melissa Lusk to serve for a chance to tie the set at 23-22. After dropping the point, the Falcons fought off the first set point for another attempt to serve for the tie before the Dustdevils closed out the first 25-23.

UTPB came out to dominate the second set, getting back in the match in part by holding TAMIU to no more than one point in a row for the first 23 points until the Dustdevils scored of serve for the first time in the set. The Falcons countered with a four-point swing to take an 18-10 lead before TAMIU called time out. UTPB closed out the set with four more points in a row, on kills by Lusk and Hannah Rebb and an ace by Ariel Fralick to tie the contest at one apiece.

Texas-Permian Basin earned leads early on in each of the final two sets, winning six of eight to start off the third and using a pair of scoring runs in the fourth, and eight run swing followed by six more points in a row to help it out-score the Dustdevils 15-6 to secure its first victory of the season.

Lusk led all players in the match with 14 kills on the evening, hitting .423 on the night. Keeley Brogdon added 12 kills while Terra Peil hit .375 to add eight kills and Morgann Davis hit .500 in the match to add six kills. Ariana Gallardo paced the Falcons with 25 assists and Jordan McDonald recorded 24 digs.

UTPB is back in action tomorrow at the Heartland/Lone Star Crossover, taking on Midwestern State in Lubbock, Texas, at 5 p.m.