STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton State Volleyball defeated Abilene Christian, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-19) on Saturday for the Senior and Alumni game.
Tarleton State Volleyball celebrated Senior and Alumni Day in style, honoring four seniors — Victoria Fontenot, Morgan Carter, Megan Hodges, and Emma Burke — for their contributions to the program. The Texans also welcomed back former players, recognizing volleyball alumni during an in-game ceremony that highlighted the program’s history and tradition.
LaNeah Lara lead the Texans at the net with nine kills, while also contributing two blocks. Madison Frank followed with eight kills and three blocks, while Burke and Breannah Peterson tallied five kills each. Burke and Peterson also totaled 6 blocks a piece.
Hodges led the Texans in assists with 17 assists to set the Texans up for success at the net. She also recorded 10 digs, notching her 10th double-double this season. Carter led the Texans back row with 13 digs. She also totaled 4 assists.
Tarleton State opened the first set with early offense from Rice-Locket, who answered ACU’s first point with a kill assisted by Hodges. The Texans found their rhythm behind a string of defensive stops, as Burke and Lara teamed up for a pair of blocks that pushed Tarleton State ahead 8-4. Hodges continued to run an efficient offense, connecting with Frank and Burke for back-to-back kills to maintain the lead. A mid-set spark came when Teya Nguyen checked in and immediately made an impact with a service ace and a block assist alongside Lara and Burke, extending Tarleton State’s advantage to 12-6. Peterson entered and added kills off sets from Nguyen and Carter, while Alyssa Dinh and Frank each delivered timely swings from the pins. Carter later took over at the service line, dropping in a clutch ace, while Hodges set up Frank and Burke for kills that pushed Tarleton State toward the set point. Lara capped the late surge with another kill before Leddy Rae Guinn sealed the frame with steady serving, forcing back-to-back attack errors from ACU. The Texans closed out set one 25-16.
Tarleton State carried its first-set momentum into the second, opening with strong offense from Frank and Burke, each connecting with Hodges for early kills. Carter added energy from the service line with an ace to give the Texans a boost, while Lara found the floor on a sharp swing from the outside. As Abilene Christian tried to rally, Tarleton State’s defense came alive behind Nguyen, who delivered both a service ace and steady setting to keep the Texans in system. Burke and Peterson combined for key blocks at the net, slowing ACU’s attack and shifting momentum back in Tarleton State’s favor. Dinh chipped in with a well-timed kill to keep the Texans tied at 12–12 before Burke’s solo block gave them a narrow edge. Midway through the frame, Nguyen continued to distribute effectively, setting up kills for Frank, Dinh, and Peterson to maintain pace. After a late ACU timeout, the Texans surged ahead behind back-to-back blocks from Dinh and Peterson, erasing a late deficit to tie it at 22–22. Burke then stepped up at the service line, fueling the final push as Tarleton State’s front line dominated down the stretch. Peterson delivered a statement solo block to reach set point, and Dinh sealed it moments later with another block assist alongside Peterson. The Texans closed the set on a 6–0 run to claim the frame 25–22, taking a commanding 2–0 match lead behind relentless blocking, efficient setting, and balanced offense across the board.
Tarleton State wasted no time asserting control in the third set, jumping out to a commanding 7–0 lead behind a dominant serving stretch from Rice-Locket. The outside hitter sparked the run with a kill, an ace, and several aggressive serves that forced multiple ACU attack errors. Lara and Dinh capitalized at the net, combining for early kills that helped the Texans build momentum and force an early Wildcat timeout. The Texans’ defensive wall stayed firm as Burke and Frank teamed up for a block, while Nguyen entered and immediately provided stability with precise setting and a service run of her own — including another ace and a block assist with Peterson. Lara and Dinh each added timely kills, while Carter and Victoria Fontenot kept the back row organized, holding Abilene Christian to minimal rhythm through the mid-set stretch. As ACU attempted to close the gap, the Texans’ composure showed. Nguyen connected with Peterson for a key side-out kill, followed by another smooth finish from Rice-Locket that pushed the lead back to 15–8. Tarleton State’s front line continued to control the tempo, with Peterson and Dinh combining for multiple late blocks that frustrated the Wildcat offense. Frank and Lara added finishing swings down the stretch, and Burke’s steady serving helped Tarleton State reach set point. The Texans sealed the match in fitting fashion as Peterson delivered the final kill off a Nguyen assist, closing out the sweep with a decisive 25–19 victory. The 3–0 win marked a complete team performance, highlighted by dominant serving, strong net play, and balanced offense to cap off Senior and Alumni Day in Stephenville.
The Texans will hit the road to take on Utah Tech on Thursday at 7 PM in St. George, Utah. The Texans are currently 8-2 in conference play and 14-8 overall.
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