Box Score

LAREDO, Texas – MARY KOEHLER's 20-kill match helped St. Edward's pick up its first Heartland Conference win of the season, beating TAMU-International in five sets, 11-25, 25-17, 29-31, 25-22, and 15-10.

In the first set, the Dustdevils got an early 5-0 lead at the mercy of five errors by the Hilltoppers. St. Edward's (3-2, 1-0 HC) would return the favor taking advantage of three miscues from TAMU-International (2-3, 0-1 HC) to bring the score within two, 5-3. The Dustdevils would regain composure and collect the next seven points giving them an overwhelming 12-3 lead. TAMU-International would hold on to the lead and go on to win the set 25-11.

The Hilltoppers would not go down easily, jumping out in the second set with a 6-2 lead with kills from four different players. The two teams rallied back and forth with the Dustdevils hoping to cut the lead down. Up by one, 8-7, St. Edward's REBECCA SCHNABEL had back-to-back service aces to increase the Hilltopper lead to 12-7. MARY KOEHLER added to the offense with three kills and a service ace leading a 10-4 run giving St. Edward's a commanding 22-11 lead. The Hilltoppers would go on the take the set, 25-17.

For the third set, both teams came out strong going point for point. With the set tied 8-8, a kill by Koehler hoped to spark another run for St. Edward's, but they were shut down by the Dustdevils as they went on a 4-1 run putting them up 12-9. Short rallies between the teams kept the score close keeping the Hilltoppers within distance. Down 17-14, St. Edward's MEREDITH BARD came up with two back-to-back kills giving St. Edward's a 6-2 run to take the lead, 20-19. As the teams exchanged kills, the set would go into extra points as TAMU-International took the set, 31-29.

Koehler started off the fourth set with two kills and a service helping the Hilltoppers to an 8-5 lead. The Dustdevils slowly started to chip away at the lead but were held to short rallies by St. Edward's. Up by one, 20-19, Bard came through with a kill and service ace helping the Hilltoppers to finish off the fourth set with a much needed 25-22 win.

In the fifth and final set, both teams started strong in hopes to collect the first conference win. With St. Edward's up 7-5, two kills by Koehler and two service aces by Bard extended the lead to 11-5. At match point Koehler finished off the set with her 20^th kill of the match as St. Edward's won, 15- 10.

Koehler collected her first double-double of the season with 20 kills and 15 digs. HANNAH RAUCH added to the offense with 14 kills as MARY MCNAMARA tallied 50 assists. Defensively MICHELLE HUNDT finished with 40 digs.

For TAMU-International, Andrea Marshall had 21 kills and 20 digs. Alex Ciszek tallied 20 kills and 17 digs, with Daria Winckler had 25 digs and 41 assists.

The Hilltoppers will continue conference play as they travel to San Antonio Saturday afternoon for the Battle of the Saints showdown with St. Mary's at noon.