Volleyball Falters Against Lions

SAN ANTONIO – Despite a balanced scoring attack by the St. Mary's Volleyball team, the Rattlers fell to Texas A&M-Commerce in straight sets on Saturday afternoon, 25-23, 25-17, 28-26.
 
For the second-straight match the Rattlers (7-4, 1-3 Lone Star Conference) out-blocked the opponent, getting three stops compared to just two for the Lions (2-6, 1-3 Lone Star). Five different Rattlers tallied at least five kills on the afternoon, led by senior middle blocker Julia Deais (San Antonio) with 10 and she hit a team-best .364 (10-2-22). 
 
Sophomore outside hitter Julia Aleman (San Antonio) was second on the club with nine kills, senior OH Alissa Tolbert (San Antonio) collected six and both sophomore OH Lindsey Ogle (Houston) and senior middle blocker Rachel McDonald (Indianapolis, Ind.) added five each.
 
The Rattlers also tallied more service aces than errors for the second-consecutive match, collecting four aces with only two errors, however they struggled stopping the outside combination of Essence Allen and Maddy Rashford who combined for 31 of the Lions 54 kills.
 
St. Mary's returns to the road next week, playing at Western New Mexico on Thursday at 6 p.m. and then at Texas Permian Basin on Saturday at 2 pm.
 
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM NOTES

• Alissa Tolbert recorded her career 750th kill and dig in the match. She now stands at 752 kills and 756 digs.
• Rachel McDonald posted the 100th block assist of her career. She also has 22 solo blocks for 122 total.
• For the second-straight match the Rattlers recorded more service aces (4) than errors (2).
• The team also out-blocked the Lions 3-2 for the second-consecutive match with more blocks than the opposition.
• Sophomore DS Isabella Dena saw her first playing action of the season. In two sets, she tallied three digs and two receptions.