LAREDO, Texas – The notes are starting to make sense for sophomore setter ALTHEA MORRIS, whose command of the offense is growing akin to moving from a musician playing sheet music to freelancing all the right notes, creating perfect harmonies in St. Edward's volleyball's 3-0 sweep of Texas A&M International. 
 
Morris recorded 40 assists, ending the weekend averaging 12.57 per set through seven sets, leading the Hilltoppers to a season-high .385 hitting percentage in the sweep over the Dustdevils. 
 
On Friday evening, Morris found new chemistry with middle blockers CARRINGTON JAIMES and GRACE MCDONALD, setting both for career highs. St. Edward's dialed both up early, finding McDonald for four kills on five attacks, and Jaimes for two on four in the first set. 
 
Their emergence over these two matches stretched opposing blocks, and in doing so, the number of touches across the front row. Morris still featured KELLI FORDING prominently — going to the junior outside hitter for seven kills on 13 attacks — but not so exclusively that the workload cratered her efficiency. MIA CLAY continues to build on successful sets opposite Fording, putting down four kills on nine attacks in the first set, and the Hilltoppers recorded 18 total on .455 hitting to win 25-17. 
 
St. Edward's played its most complete all-around set in the second, getting five kills on eight attacks from Fording, and four other Hilltoppers with at least two in the set on a match-high .538 clip for a 25-9 win. GISELLE OJEDA anchored the back row with nine digs and five receptions with no errors, limiting Texas A&M International to seven kills with only three attack errors. 
 
Fording continued to dominate in the third set, putting down six kills on nine attacks to clinch the match with a 25-19 win. She combined volume (30 attacks) with efficiency (18 kills, .500 hitting), committing only three errors in one of her best all-around performances this season.
 
McDonald and Jaimes combined for 13 kills on 30 attempts with only two errors, and Clay added eight kills. St. Edward's (5-7, 2-5 LSC) returns home next week to host Texas Woman's University on Friday and DBU on Saturday.