AUSTIN – St. Edward's volleyball's defense had a record-tying afternoon with 32 block assists and one solo block to defeat Texas A&M International 3-2 Wednesday, matching the effort set in 2006. MAYA SMALLS led the charge with nine block assists while LAURA DOOCY added six.
 
SEU had a cautious start to the match but put together a run late to win set one 25-20. The Hilltopper defense was the difference maker, holding TAMIU to -.083 attack percentage with ten block assists in the set.
 
Midway through the second set the Dustdevils had a three-point advantage, 14-11, but SEU quickly closed the gap to lead 16-15. The Hilltoppers never trailed the rest of the way, eventually closing out the set win 25-22.
 
Despite hitting just .098 in the third set, Texas A&M International was able to squeak out the win 26-24, and took another extended set win in the fourth set 27-25, tying the match to force a fifth set.
 
The Dustdevils took an early lead in the final frame, 6-4, but St. Edward's returned to what they do best and turned up the heat defensively, closing the frame on an 8-1 run. The Hilltoppers earned their 15^th point on an emphatic block from Smalls and CAROLINE SWAN to seal the win 15-9.
 
SEU hit just .109 for the match and was led by KAITLYN KRAFKA who posted 16 kills and a .297 attack percentage while also leading the team in digs with 19. Swan hit .310 with 14 kills and MELISSA MCNEIL added ten. EMILY TRAN had a team-high 26 assists while newcomer NATALIA WALLS posted 19 with 17 digs in her first collegiate appearance.
 
St. Edward's improves to 1-2 on the season and 1-2 in Lone Star Conference play with the win. They make the return trip to Laredo on Thursday with first-serve set for 5 pm.