AUSTIN – St. Edward's dropped its home opener in a five-set decision to West Texas A&M (25-18, 18-25, 17-25, 25-18, 14-16) in a Lone Star Conference (LSC) bout on Friday night at the Recreation and Convocation Center.

Torrey Miller and Selena Batiste both logged double-doubles to lead the Lady Buffs (8-2, 2-1 LSC). Miller tallied a match-high 24 kills to go along with 19 digs, while Batiste handed out 57 assists and posted 15 digs.

KATARINA MENDEZ paced the Hilltoppers (6-5, 1-2 LSC) with 22 winners and .463 hitting percentage. MELISSA MCNEIL (15 kills/15 digs) and ALEXA MCANDREW (10 kills/10 digs) each posted double-doubles. EMILY TRAN led SEU with 31 assists, while NIKKI GRANT hauled in a team-high 20 digs.

The Hilltoppers hit .389 on 17 kills to claim the first set of the night.

West Texas A&M answered back with wins in sets two and three to take a 2-1 advantage.

However, St. Edward's broke a 15-all tie in the fourth frame with a 6-0 run to pull away and even the contest.

The Lady Buffs built a 14-12 lead in the final panel, but a winner by Mendez and an attack error by the visitors allowed the 'Toppers to pull even. Following a timeout, Batiste picked up a kill and then Sadie Snay finished off the match with a winner on an assist by Miller.

The Hilltoppers will return to action on Saturday in another league match against Eastern New Mexico. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.