It didn't come easy, UT Permian Basin Volleyball pulled out a four-set victory over Eastern New Mexico Friday night in Odessa. The Falcons needed some clutch performances from the usual suspects to pull out the win. Defensively,
Daylee Doggett had a big night with 26 digs.
Taurie Magee and
Chandra Reed got it done on both ends of the floor. Magee had a team high 13 kills with four blocks while Reed had 10 kills without an error and four blocks.
Jenna Gray added 22 assists along with 13 digs for her third double-double of the season.
The Greyhounds were the ones starting fast and took an 13-8 lead in the opening set. Both sides traded points before the Falcons were able to finally tie the score at 16 on a kill by
Aquincia Strambler followed by an ace off her serve. The Greyhounds appeared to take the set but the Falcons went on a 3-0 run, capped by an ace by Doggett to tie things at 23. After three set points,
Mayce Barker's kill followed by a Greyhound error gave the Falcons a 29-27 set victory.
Set two was just as close as the first. Both sides exchanged points and runs with neither side able to gain an edge. The Falcons held the lead late at 23-22, but eh Greyhounds charged back and closed the set on a 3-0 to even things at one each. A 3-0 run early in the third set put the Falcons on top but the Greyhounds bounced back and took the lead 14-11 after a 7-2 run. From there the Falcons took charge on off the serve of
Jenna Gray. Three kills by Magee and back-to-back aces from Gray keyed an 8-0 to take control of the set, After the Greyhounds tried to climb back in it, the Falcons went off for a 5-0 run to close the set 25-19.
The Falcons trailed 12-11 in the fourth set but a kill by Magee turned the serve over to Gray. She kept the magic from the previous set going, as the Falcons went on a 9-0 to put any doubt of the set to rest. The Greyhounds struggled, committing five errors in the run.
Kaitlyn Bustamante helped put the match to rest with back-to-back aces before Reed's kill ended it.
Strambler had a solid night with eight kills, nine digs, and three blocks. Barker had six kills without an error.
The Falcons have a quick turnaround tomorrow as they'll host Lubbock Christian at 2 PM. Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.
