TEXARKANA, Texas -- Texas A&M University-Texarkana's volleyball team is definitely improving, and got back in the win column with a four-set victory over Centenary at the Nest Tuesday evening.
It was a matchup of very even teams as the Eagles (4-6) defeated the Shreveport team (6-6) by scores of 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, and 25-22, in non-conference play.
It's going to be a busy weekend for the Eagles as they host Jarvis Christian University Friday evening at 6 p.m., and then turn around and play Jarvis Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
But TAMU is not done Saturday as its plays Champion Christian College (Hot Springs) at 2 p,m.
"We are definitely getting better, and this was a good win for us as they beat us earlier in the season." said Eagles coach Madeleine Halford.
"I liked the way we came back in the fourth set." Halford added. "We were down 8-2 and 11-5, and came back to win the set, 25-22."
With two serves into the net by Centenary and five service points by Kelby Coutee, the Eagles jumped out to a big 11-3 advantage.
The Centenary Ladies fought back to within 12-9 with Liz Lowe serving five points.
The visitors soon tied the set at 17-17 and 19-19, before A&M went back on top, 22-19. A blocked shot by Junior Katherine Toftemark scored the winning point.
Lowe, a senior from San Antonio, kept the Ladies in contention with five service points and four kills.
After several side-outs, Centenary grabbed the lead, 9-5, and continued to lead through the set.
A&M drew within, 23-22, but Lowe ended the set, 25-22, with a kill.
The Eagles scored the first six points with Claudia Etling serving, and later had its biggest lead, 17-8.
But Centenary wasn't done, pecking away at the lead and eventually tied the set at 21-21. The Eagles scored the final four points with Madison Arrieta ending the set with an Ace serve.
In the fourth and final set, Centenary took early six-point leads, 8-2, and 11-5.
The Eagles came all the way back with Ambree Anderle serving to tie the set, 12-12, and later had its biggest lead, 23-18.
The set and match ended when a Centerary slam went into the net with the Eagles on top, 25-22.
Ashley Phares led the Eagles with 12 kills, and Toftemark had nine. Toftemark also had seven blocks, some of which ended up as scores.