SAN ANGELO, Texas – The No. 3 and top-seeded Angelo State University volleyball team battled back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat ninth-seeded West Texas A&M in five sets (23-25, 25-17, 18-25, 25-13, 15-13) Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament at the Junell Center-Stephens Arena.
The victory moves the Belles to 28-1 overall and extends their winning streak to 20 matches as they advances to the LSC semifinals.
Julia Hopkins led the Belles with 19 kills while hitting .277, adding four digs and a block.
Alli Kirkpatrick followed with 15 kills, while
Madi Parrish recorded 11 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Parrish also tied for the team lead with two service aces and added three blocks.
Gabi Ashcraft orchestrated the Angelo State offense with 25 assists and 13 digs for a double-double.
Olivia Pena added 20 assists, while
Allie Duitsman led the defensive effort with a match-high 24 digs.
Sydney Thornton contributed seven kills, two service aces and three blocks.
After dropping the opening set 25-23, the Belles responded with a dominant second-set performance, hitting .543 with 19 kills and no attack errors to even the match. West Texas A&M regained the lead with a 25-18 win in the third set, but the Blue and Gold answered emphatically in the fourth. The Belles hit .303 while limiting the Lady Buffs to 10 kills and 10 attack errors in a 25-13 victory to force a deciding fifth set.
In the final frame, the Belles overcame a competitive start to secure the 15-13 victory and complete the comeback. Angelo State finished the night with 64 kills, seven service aces, 59 assists and 80 digs. The Belles also recorded a .218 hitting percentage, while holding West Texas A&M to a .170 mark.
The top-seeded Belles now advances to the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 13, when they'll face off against fourth-seeded, St. Edward's at 7 p.m. inside the Junell Center-Stephens Arena.
