TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler dropped their first Lone Star Conference match of the season by a 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-21) final to #9 West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon.

West Texas A&M survived extra points in the opening frame and then settled into a rhythm to secure a win in a meeting of the final two unbeatens in Lone Star Conference play this season. Junior Kota Hartman totaled 13 kills for a UT Tyler offense that hit .112 in the match.

The Patriots put down 39 kills on 134 swings in the match. West Texas A&M notched just 43 kills, but put down 13 total blocks to add the extra offense needed to the point total.

UT Tyler forced extra points in set one after responding to their first set point of the night with a trio of kills to tie it up at 24-24. The Lady Buffs eventually took the first set by a 27-25 final to move ahead 1-0 in the match.

UT Tyler jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the second set, but a 9-1 run that made it 13-8 put the momentum back squarely on the shoulders of West Texas A&M in route to a 25-18 second set win.

The Lady Buffs closed out the match by flipping an early 13-11 lead for UT Tyler in their favor for an eventual 25-21 victory.

Junior Autumn Perry totaled nine kills while Makhai Lewis and Jackie Velzis went for seven.

Addison Evans (12), Mikayla Villarreal (11) and Emma Vazquez (10) all went for double-digit dig totals. Setter Saige Rivera totaled 33 assists on the night.

UT Tyler falls to 10-6 on the year and 7-1 in Lone Star Conference play.

The Patriots will travel to Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International next week for Friday and Saturday matches.