COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Northwestern State volleyball played three close, competitive sets in their opening match at the Texas A&M Invitational.
 
Unfortunately for the Lady Demons, they came up on the short end each time, falling to Texas-Rio Grande Valley 3-0 (22-25, 22-25, 25-27) on Thursday afternoon.

"We played well against a very good team that has many different weapons," head coach Sean Kiracofe said. "In each of the sets it came down to just a few points which, depending on the situation, were unforced errors, a communication error that led to giving an easy ball, or execution to exploit a match-up.
 
"We did a lot of good things that forced them to make some adjustments defensively and with personnel which I was really proud of. Now it's a matter of closing out those tight situations on a consistent basis."

 From the outset of the match it was clear it was going to be a back-and-forth affair until the end.
 
The Lady Demons made the first 4-0 run in the first set to take a 10-9 lead, on three straight kills from Hannah Brister. Rio Grande Valley came right back to regain the lead and the race to 25 was on. Two more kills from Brister tied the set at 19, but a 5-2 finish by UTRGV gave them the opener 25-22.
 
With the second set locked in another point-for-point battle, NSU found and edge during Alexis Warren's serving rotation, going on a 7-0 stretch. Middle blocker Kourtney Seaton provided a pair of kills and a block assist with Addison McDermott that made it a 15-9 NSU lead.
 
UTRGV answered with six straight points, and the set was tied again at 15. A kill from Skylar Besch made it a 19-all affair, but the Vaqueros were strong at the end, outscoring the Lady Demons 6-3 to close out the second at 25-22 as well.
 
UTRGV made a push early in the third set to create a scoring cushion, going ahead 10-4 on the Lady Demons. NSU reeled in the Vaqueros with an 8-3 stretch on the swings of Brister and Kourtney Seaton, making it a one-point set. Kills from Seaton and Alexis Warren minutes later tied the frame at 20.
 
The teams traded points, keeping things tight, and making a 25-25 set, with NSU needing the win to keep the match alive. UTRGV got the two straight points it would need on the next two attacks, taking the match with the 27-25 winner.
 
Brister recorder here third 20-kill match of the season and Seaton added a season-high 11, to go along with her three total blocks. Besch had 22 helpers and Megan Lohmiller led the team with 14 digs.
 
The Lady Demons play a pair of matches Friday starting with an early 10 a.m. start against Texas A&M. NSU takes on Texas State later in the afternoon. Live coverage links are available at www. Nsudemons.com.
 
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