HAMMOND, Louisiana – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs volleyball team fell to the host Southeastern Louisiana University Lions 3-0 in their second match of the 2012 Tangi Tourism Lion Classic on Friday at the University Center.
 
In the first set, the Lions (3-3) jumped out to a 7-1 lead thanks in part to two kills by Tamra Grayson and three by Courtney Donald. The Broncs (1-8) pulled to within three on a kill by Diara Reynolds that made it 15-12, but the Lions went on a 5-1 run to pull away for a 25-20 win.
 
Down 2-1 early in the second set, the Broncs scored five-straight points to take a 6-2 lead. After the Lions got two back, the Broncs used three kills by Sarah Davis and two by Nycole Masaki to power a 10-2 run to go up 16-6. The Lions came back to take the lead back at 22-21 and 24-23, but Donald committed an attack error and Masaki served up an ace to give the Broncs set point. Donald responded with a kill to tie the set, but a kill by Krysta Freitas again gave the Broncs set point at 26-25. Ijanae Holman committed a service error and Reynolds made an attack error that gave the Lions set point at 27-26. Zoe Douglas made an attack error that allowed the Broncs to tie it up again, but a kill by Veronica Turk and an attack error by Reynolds ended the set at 29-27 Lions.
 
The Broncs scored the first point of the third set, but the Lions responded by scoring 12-straight. The Broncs outscored the Lions 21-10 to pull within 24-22 after a kill by Haley Durham, but Donald came up with a kill to end the set at 25-20.
 
Reynolds and Davis led the Broncs in kills with seven each. Davis did so in 12 attacks with no errors for a match-best .583 hitting percentage. Reynolds also added 11 digs. Juri Franzen led the Broncs in digs with a match-high 16 while Masaki had a team-high 27 assists.
 
Donald was the only player to reach double-figures in kills, leading the Lions with 13. Becky Bekelja had a match-high 29 assists and Megan McMillin had a team-high 14 digs.
 
The Broncs return to action on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. against Southern University and 12:00 p.m. against Weber State University.
 
The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics competes at the NCAA Division I level. UTPA, formerly known as Pan American College and Pan American University, is a part of the University of Texas System of Schools. The Broncs compete in 14 varsity sports: men's and women's basketball, golf, tennis, track and field, and cross country, along with women's volleyball and men's baseball. The Broncs have won six team national championships, including the 1963 NAIA Championship in men's basketball and every NAIA Championship in men's tennis from 1961 through 1965. The Broncs also have also won 10 individual national championships, all in men's tennis, with six NAIA doubles championships and four NAIA singles championships. UTPA has been a member of the all-sports division of the Great West Conference since 2009-10.