Texas A&M swept the USF volleyball team on Sept. 6, the day after the USF/Asics Challenge finished. During the first set, the Dons took the early lead by going up 4-0. However, Texas A&M answered with six consecutive points. Texas A&M and the Dons kept it closer until Texas A&M opened up their lead 15-8. Texas A&M won the set 25-15.
The second and third sets proved to be disappointments. In the second set, the Dons maintained a lead throughout most of the set. The Dons had a few scares throughout the set; however, Texas A&M took over the lead when they won four consecutive points to make the score 16-15. The Dons would regain the lead at 23-22, but they were unable to hold onto the lead and they lost the set at 25-23.
The Dons came back into the third set realizing that they needed to win the third set to stay in the match. The Dons held onto the lead for most of the set until Texas A&M won five consecutive points to go up 15-10. The Dons did tie the set at 21; the crowd’s cheers became louder. Even though the crowd became more involved into the set, the Dons lost the set 25-23.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Mandala led the Dons with 15 kills, while senior outside hitter Anna Berger had 8 kills. Senior libero Haley Carroll led with 12 digs and Mandala had 9 digs.
The Dons will host California State University Bakersfield on Sept. 26 in War Memorial Gym.
