LAWTON, OKLAHOMA – The UT Tyler volleyball team opened Lone Star Conference play with a four-set victory Friday night, defeating Cameron 3-1 (27-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-15) at Aggie Gymnasium to improve to 10-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Patriots battled through a tightly contested opening set that featured 11 ties. The Aggies later pulled even at 18-18 and continued to trade points late in the set.
After the Patriots took a 24-23 lead, Cameron responded with a point to tie the set at 24-24. The teams exchanged points again before the Patriots closed out the opening frame with a 27-25 win, capped by a service ace from Sydney Atkinson.
UT Tyler carried that momentum into the second set, using a 5-0 run to turn a 12-11 lead into a 17-11 advantage. The Patriots maintained control from there, extending their lead before taking the set 25-18 to move ahead 2-0.
Cameron came out strong in the third set, jumping out to an 11-5 lead before extending its advantage to 18-10. The Patriots responded with an 8-0 run, tying the set at 18-18 behind a series of kills from Autumn Perry, Melanie Merrill and Riley Clinton. Cameron regained the lead late, however, and took the third set 25-23 to force a fourth.
The Patriots left little doubt in the final frame, jumping out to a 9-5 lead before opening up a 15-8 advantage. UT Tyler continued to pull away behind strong serving from Makhai Lewis, who delivered an ace during a 5-0 run that pushed the Patriots ahead 20-12. UT Tyler closed out the match with a 25-15 fourth-set victory.
Perry led the Patriots offensively with 17 kills, while Merrill and Atkinson added 10 kills apiece. Riley Clinton directed the offense with 30 assists, while Caroline Ashley added 10. Arceneaux led the defensive effort with 21 digs, followed by Mia Cross with 13 and Kaitlyn Davis with nine.
UT Tyler will remain on the road Saturday when the Patriots travel to Oklahoma Christian for a 2 p.m. Lone Star Conference matchup.
