MATCH INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Commerce 3, St. Edward's 1 (25-8, 18-25, 25-17, 25-18)
Records: St. Edward's (4-8), Texas A&M-Commerce (8-6)
Location: The Field House, Commerce, Texas
 
SEU TOP PERFORMERS
-Sophomore hitter MIKAYLA GRILL led the Hilltoppers' offense with 10 kills. She also recorded seven digs.
-On defense, MORGAN BECKHAM grounded out 21 digs to lead the team while TABITHA ELDER teamed up on three blocks with a solo denial as well.
-JULIA HARTLEY and JACLYN BILLIE split the setting duties equally with 16 and 13 assists, respectively. Billie also had a pair of service aces.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-In set one, MIKAYLA PARKER put down a kill to pull SEU within three, however the Lions turned the tide with a 16-2 run to take a 1-0 lead.
-The Hilltoppers owned set two, hitting .308 while holding the opposition to .143 on the attack.
-With St. Edward's clinging to an 8-7 lead, MADISON MCCLURG sparked an 8-0 run that included Billie's two aces, and kills from ALEXA MCANDREW, Grill, and Elder.
-A kill from McClurg and a Commerce miscue tied the match at one set apiece.
-Grill gave the Hilltoppers a 10-9 lead in set three, but the Lions surged back with four-straight points, and did not look back.
-In the final set, KATE HENDRIX recorded a kill and Elder used a service ace to give St. Edward's an early lead. However, the Lion attack hit at a pace of .419 and rolled on to clinch the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-Grill led the Hilltopper offense with 224 kills in 2015, but this is just her first match of the 2016 season with double-digit kills.
-Texas A&M-Commerce is just the third team this season to hit over .200 on the stout SEU defense, and the first to hit over .300.
-Beckham continues to keep up her torrid pace at libero, now averaging 5.94 digs per-set on the season. It's a rate that currently sits third all-time for single-season digs per-set.
 
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH MARY DEJUTE
"Our start to the match was definitely disappointing. We really didn't put it in gear until after the first set. Even then, our offense didn't take advantage of the opportunities they were given. However, we served aggressively, which was effective, but if we want to win in this region, we can't give our opponents a 1-0 lead. I know this team has what it takes to be very good, and I am excited to get back in the gym and continue working. Conference play continues next and that is where we really need to focus."
 
UP NEXT
Coach DeJute and her Hilltoppers continue their month-long road trip on Thursday, Sept. 29 as they travel to Newman for a Heartland Conference showdown at 7 p.m. Live coverage will be available at GoHilltoppers.com Fans can also learn more about the team on social media at @SEUVBall.