CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Volleyball team suffered a 3-0 setback Saturday morning against host Texas A&M- Corpus Christi in its second game at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach Islander Classic at the Dugan Wellness Center.
The Broncs struggled from the beginning as they fell behind from the first set; they were found in a nine-point deficit (20-11) during the first game. Although UTPA had a strong closing after Michelle McNamee's kill got the score moving fast for the Broncs, that scored eleven points while TAMUCC was only able to make five in the last part of the set, the effort wasn't enough and the first game ended 25-22.
The second set was a much closer game; TAMUCC's Shannon Hullum scored the first point, but a service error by Hullum and a block by Maria Kliefoth and Michelle McNamee put the Broncs ahead for a heartbeat. TAMUCC responded quickly, and although the Broncs trailed closely behind throughout the entire set and were able to tie the score at six different times, the Islanders dominated the end of it and finished the game 25-19.
The Islanders took control of the last set and did not let the Broncs have a comeback; the match concluded after a kill from TAMUCC's Brianna Brink sealed the score 25-17.
Ijanae Holman led the Broncs in attacks with 26; Michelle McNamee and Maria Kliefoth contributed with 15 attacks each. Holman and McNamee accomplished six and seven kills, respectively.
Shannon Hullum was the Islander with the most attacks (19) and tallied nine kills.
The Broncs will wrap up the weekend against Townson University Saturday at 5 p.m.
