ODESSA, Texas – The No. 21 Angelo State volleyball team downed UT – Permian Basin (25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14) on the road Saturday afternoon.
Improving to 16-8 overall and 8-7 in the Lone Star Conference, the ASU offense marked a .230 clip for the match and dropped 10 aces on the Falcons. Three Belles, Brianna Sotello (13), Haley Coulter (12) and Morgan Seaton (11) recorded double-figure kills, with Seaton also turning in a .364 clip for the match. Sotello added her second consecutive double-double digging a team most 16 balls. Joining her, Coulter also marked double-double with a 14 dig performance. This was a season high in digs and the first double-double in an ASU uniform for the sophomore. Also adding to the team's offensive success, setter Meghan Parker recorded a season second 46 assists to lead the squad. With the loss, the Falcons slid to 4-21, 1-15 LSC on the season.
"We are finally starting to look like ourselves," commented ASU Head Volleyball Coach Chuck Waddington. "At this point in the season every win is very important"
Looking to rebound from the previous day's match Angelo State opened up the match with a strong 7-2 run. The run saw big swings from Ali Davison, Seaton and Coulter. It also included a Seaton ace and Seaton, Davison block, along with a pair of Falcon errors. This was the first of a team leading and season most four aces for Seaton. It was also the first of a team most six total blocks for the senior. UTPB then responded with its own lengthy 7-0 run to regain the 9-7 lead. The Falcons would continue to lead until a Parker ace brought the score back to an even 13. This was followed by a Seaton, Sotello block to place the Belles back in front. Angelo State would hold off the Falcons and with a 19-18 lead the Belles added six consecutive points to close out the set.
Opening the second set trailing 5-1, a Davison kill would start the Belles off on a 7-1 rally to take over the lead. The Falcons would attempt to halt the ASU onslaught with a kill, but Tulani Titley would get the Belles back on track as the squad added five more to the board. Angelo State however would be unable to hold off UT- Permian Basin as it knocked off a six point Belles lead. The Falcons would continue to add points to the board taking the second set and bringing the match to an even set a piece.
Another Parker service ace would get the Belles rolling in the third set. This would be followed up with kills from Seaton and Sundara Chinn, as well as a block by the duo to push the lead to 4-0. The Belles continued to hold off the Falcons advances and with 15-8 on the board, Chinn and Seaton would follow a UTPB error with another block that kicked off a 7-0 run. This put the third set out of reach for the opposition and the final kill would be dropped in by Parker from the setter position.
A Falcon error placed ASU on the board first in the final set. The Belles steadily built up its lead and a service ace from freshman Bailey Mulder would place the score at 6-2. UTPB would be unable to gain its footing in the set as Angelo State hindered any attempt by the Falcons to fabricate an extended series of points. The Belles would place the match into the win column with a final block from senior leaders Sotello and Seaton.
With a quick turnaround, Angelo State returns to action in the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center on Tuesday, October 31 against Texas A&M –Kingsville. First server between the Belles and Javelinas is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Angelo State Student Athlete Advisory Committee will also be sponsoring its annual "Trunk-or-Treat" where elementary aged children will receive free admission and have the ability to play games and hang out with ASU student athletes. All children will need to be accompanied by an adult that has purchased a match ticket.
