AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's matched nationally ranked Angelo State through two sets Saturday, but the Rambelles' serving pressure and efficient attack turned a tight match into a four-set loss, 25-20, 23-25, 25-9, 25-18, as the Hilltoppers split their conference-opening homestand.
After dropping a first set that was tied at 18, the Hilltoppers responded with their sharpest stretch of the match. MIA CLAY helped St. Edward's build a 5-1 lead in the second on an ace, and the Hilltoppers extended it to 18-13 behind an attack that produced 16 kills at a .289 clip. Angelo State rallied to pull within 19-18, but St. Edward's answered with two blocks and a kill in a three-point run. KAYLEN LEMBCKE later delivered a kill for set point, and Clay finished the 25-23 win to even the match.
The momentum did not carry into the third. Angelo State opened an 8-1 lead behind Gabi Ashcraft's serve and held St. Edward's to four kills and a negative hitting percentage in a 25-9 set.
St. Edward's showed another response in the fourth, scoring the first four points and leading 12-8. Angelo State worked back into a tie at 12, took its first lead at 14-13 and gradually pulled away. The Hilltoppers stayed within two at 20-18 before the Rambelles scored the final five points.
Clay led St. Edward's with 13 kills, while KELLI FORDING added 12, and Lembcke had eight. ALTHEA MORRIS recorded 30 assists and 11 digs, and BELLA BRICENO led the Hilltoppers with 12 digs. Angelo State's Madi Parrish finished with a match-high 15 kills.
St. Edward's fell to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play after splitting its home opening conference weekend. Angelo State improved to 12-1 and 2-0 in the LSC.
