Despite Numerous Career-Highs, Volleyball Falls in Five

ODESSA, Texas – The St. Mary's Volleyball team actually out-scored Texas-Permian Basin 107-102 in the match, but the Rattlers dropped the five-set match on Saturday afternoon 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-13.
 
"The team fought hard in a tough road environment," said Head Coach Laura Ulrich. "Unfortunately, we couldn't quite come out on top. We are still a program learning to win and while we aren't happy with the result, I think we were really able to learn about ourselves and what we need to continue to lean into. We are grateful to be able to get back in the gym this week and get ready for a home weekend coming up."
 
The Rattlers (8-5, 2-4 Lone Star Conference) defense shined bright during the match, recording a season-high 102 digs. The 102 is the most since the 2018 team had 104 at St. Edward's on Nov. 3. Senior OH Alissa Tolbert (San Antonio) tallied a season- and match-high 28 digs, bettering her previous high of 24 from earlier this year at Oklahoma Christian. Junior libero Gabi Sandoval (San Antonio) added 24 digs, one off her career-high of 25, while both sophomores Nadia Manitzas (San Antonio) and Aislan Lennon (Houston) were in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. The defense also had 96 service receptions with only two errors (98 percent).
 
Offensively, sophomore Julia Aleman (San Antonio) notched a career-high 17 kills to lead the team, while sophomore Lindsey Ogle also recorded a career-high with 14 kills. Both surpassed their previous career-highs by one kill. Tolbert collected 13 kills for her 11th double-double of the season and senior middle blocker Julia Deais (San Antonio) tied her season-high with 10 kills. Deais and senior middle blocker Rachel McDonald (Indianapolis, Ind.) each had three blocks to tie for match-high honors.
 
The Rattlers also kept up their pressure at the service line with seven aces and only one error. The one miscue ties for the lowest total of the season and in the last four matches they've collected 21 aces with only six errors. Sandoval was the only Rattler with multiple aces, serving two, while five others had one. Freshman setter Cali Nims (Corpus Christi, Texas) posted a career-high 39 assists and Lennon had her fifth double-double of the season with 13 assists and 10 digs.
 
StMU returns home to Bill Greehey Arena next weekend, hosting West Texas A&M at 6 p.m. on Friday and Eastern New Mexico at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM NOTES

• Both sophomore outside hitters Julia Aleman (17) and Lindsey Ogle (14) increased their career-highs in kills by one.
• Cali Nims recorded a career-high 39 assists, shattering her previous high of 25 from the season-opening match against Lubbock Christian.
• For the first time this season, the team collected 100 digs. At Texas A&M International on Feb. 24, 2021 was the last time the Rattlers hit triple digits and the 102 is the most since the 2018 team had 104 at St. Edward's on Nov. 3.
• The Rattlers tied their season-low with just one service error in the match. On the flip side they totaled seven aces.
• For the fourth time this season and the eighth time in her career, senior OH Alissa Tolbert tallied over 20 digs. She had a career-high 28 to lead the match. She also posted another double-double, giving her 11 this season and 36 for her career.