Volleyball Splits at Texas Two-Step
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huston-Tillotson (0-1, 0-0) | 26 | 15 | 11 | 18 | 1 |
|
Texas A&M Texarkana (9-0, 0-0) | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Texas A&M Texarkana (9-1, 0-0) | 21 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 11 | 2 |
|
#21 Nelson (Texas) (2-3, 0-0) | 25 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kansas Wesleyan (3-3) | 25 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 1 |
|
Texas A&M Texarkana (10-1) | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#11 McPherson (8-1) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
Texas A&M Texarkana (10-2) | 16 | 22 | 16 | 0 |
WAXAHACHIE, Texas – The Texas A&M University-Texarkana volleyball team battled through a tough slate at the Texas Two-Step Tournament, hosted by Texas Wesleyan and Nelson (Texas), earning a 2-2 split against high-level competition, including two nationally ranked opponents.
The Eagles opened play Friday morning with a 3-1 victory over former RRAC rival Huston-Tillotson (24-26, 25-15, 25-11, 25-18). Junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Cabral led the attack with 14 kills, followed closely by Paulina Dobreva with 11. Setters Ashley Rhame and Zoe Martinez combined for 39 assists, while freshman Mia Shealey-Hendrix sparked the service line with four aces. Defensively, the Eagles were dominant, racking up 70 digs.
That evening, TAMUT nearly pulled off a comeback against the nationally ranked No. 21 Lions of Nelson, rallying from a 2-0 deficit before ultimately falling in five sets (21-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-15, 11-15). Cabral and Dobreva combined for 38 kills, Rhame and Martinez dished out 54 assists, and libero Lauren Herz anchored the defense with 31 digs.
The Eagles bounced back Saturday with a 3-1 win over Kansas Wesleyan (20-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20). Dobreva tallied 17 kills and Cabral added 14, while Rhame and Martinez directed the offense with 46 assists. Herz collected 17 digs, and three Eagles chipped in three blocks apiece to seal the victory.
TAMUT closed the tournament against its toughest opponent yet, the No. 11 McPherson Bulldogs, who handed the Eagles a 3-0 defeat (16-25, 22-25, 16-25). Cabral paced the offense with 13 kills on a .320 hitting percentage, while Rhame finished with 14 assists and 10 digs.
The weekend split moved TAMUT to 10-2 on the season. Cabral shined with 62 kills across four matches, becoming the Eagles' All-Time Kills Leader in the process. Rhame totaled 90 assists, while Herz collected 64 of the team's 262 digs on the weekend and Dobreva tallied 67.
The Eagles return to action next weekend at the Evangel University Tournament in Springfield, Mo., opening against Mission on Friday, Sept. 5, at 4:45 p.m. before facing the host Crusaders later that evening.
Stay tuned to @TAMUT_Athletics for coverage throughout the 2025 season.