COMMERCE, Texas – Makenna Tryon had a career-high 14 kills and added 10 digs despite while the Northwestern State Demons took one set from the East Texas A&M Lions before falling 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 18-25 and 25-15) Saturday on the road in Southland Conference action.

The Demons (1-27, 0-14 SLC) had the lead midway through the first set 12-11 after Jade Longlad's kill. However, the Lions (9-16, 7-7 SLC) scored six of the next seven to take a 17-13 lead. The Demons closed the gap to two, 17-15, after a kill by Julia Whitfield and an attack error by the Lions. But ETAM scored the next four to take a 22-16 advantage before clinching the set.

In the second set, NSU had a 15-13 lead going into the media timeout following Whitfield's fourth kill of the match. But coming out of the timeout, the Lions went on a 7-1 run to take a 20-16 lead late in the set. The Demons responded as they cut the lead to 21-19 after a kill by Olivia Bush and Tryon. NSU eventually cut the Lions' lead to one, 24-23, after a kill by Samaya Wesson, an ace by Emmarie McFarland and an assisted block by Melis Ozipek and Deja Benjamin. But Giana Brown's kill sealed the set for ETAM.

The Demons really came out strong in the third set as they had a 15-10 lead following a kill by Wesson. NSU stretched their lead out to 21-15 late in the third set after two more kills by Wesson and an ace by Reagan Hamm. Wesson and Benjamin's assisted block would clinch the third set win for the Demons. The win was the first set victory in conference play for the Demons.

"I'm glad for the girls," said Demon head coach Ben Kazeta. "Getting a set win is an improvement. We try to get one percent better each day and we did that today.

However, in the fourth set the Lions came out strong, taking a 9-3 lead and never looked back as they stormed to the win and series sweep over the Demons.
The Demons were led by Tryon's 14 kills and 10 digs for her first career double-double. Wesson added 11 kills while Emmarie McFarland had 10 digs. NSU also ended with 10 ½ blocks led by Whitfield and Wesson with 2 ½ each.

Next up, the Demons will return home for their final two games of the season Thursday against UT- Rio Grande Valley (17-7, 12-1 SLC) at 6:30. Then, NSU wraps up the season Saturday, Nov. 15 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (10-15, 6-7 SLC) at 1 p.m.