COMMERCE, Texas – Upset-minded and home-standing Texas A&M-Commerce gave the No. 17 Colorado School of Mines volleyball squad a run for its money, but the two-time defending RMAC Champions closed the match with a fury on the way to a 3-1 win over the Lions during the final match of the first day at the A&M-Commerce Classic on Friday evening. 

Following a 25-23 loss in the first set, the Orediggers (5-1) closed the match with wins in the final three sets by scores of 25-19, 25-13 and 25-10.

Senior Sarah Pekarek led the team with 15 kills in the matchup on a .238 attack percentage while also added eight digs on the defensive side. 

Sophomore Alanna Winfield added 12 kills and led the team with a .414 attack percentage while adding three digs and an assisted block on defense. The Houston, Texas, product also led the team with four service aces during Friday's night cap. 

Sophomore Megan Peterson was the third of three players in double figures for kills with 10 kills on a .333 attack percentage one match after setting a new career best with 14 kills in the 3-0 win over Dallas Baptist on Friday afternoon. She also led the team with a pair of assisted blocks and chipped in a pair of service aces as well. 

During Friday's two matches, Pekarek, Winfield and Peterson combined for 81 kills over the two-match stretch. 

Junior Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood dished out 44 assists and contributed nine digs on the defensive end. The Preseason RMAC Setter of the Year's total of nine digs snapped her string of five straight double-doubles to start the year and six consecutive dating back to the 2013 season. 

Sophomore Samantha Fischer posted a .294 attack percentage on nine kills and fellow sophomore Abby Reuland added three of her own in the win. 

Sophomore Taryn Huber set a new career best with 23 digs in the win, giving the Austin, Texas, product 51 digs over two wins on Friday. Senior Cassie Vick added 10 digs and reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week Corrine Din was credited with eight digs as well. 

Mines will continue and close its action at the tournament with a pair of matches on Saturday. The Orediggers will face Arkansas-Fort Smith at 9 a.m. (CDT | 8 a.m. MDT) and Texas Woman's at 1 p.m. (CDT | 12 p.m. MDT) during the tournament's final day. 

TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL