September 01, 2001
No. 18 Texas A&M improved to 3-0 with a 30-16, 30-27, 30-17 victory over Stephen F. Austin today at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational at Autry Court.
The Aggies hit a blistering .514 in the first game, posting 20 kills and only one error in 37 attacks. Junior middle blocker A.D. Achilefu and senior outside hitter Erin Lechler led the charge with five kills apiece with no errors in the opening frame. Achilefu also was effective with her powerful jump serve, posting three aces in the game.
The Ladyjacks held a 24-20 advantage in Game 2 before the Aggies got on track and outscored SFA 8-1 to take a 28-25 lead. SFA got withing one, 28-27, on a kill and an A&M kill error before the Aggies closed out the game with back-to-back kills by sophomore middle blocker Tara Pulaski and senior setter Jenna Moscovic.
A&M never trailed in the final game. The Aggies held a slim 9-7 lead before scoring five unanswered points to pull ahead 14-7. The Ladyjacks cutthe lead to four points at 15-11 but could not get closer as the Aggies pulled away for the victory.
Achilefu led A&M with 15 kills. Lechler added nine kills and Pulaski and Moscovic contributed eight apiece as the Aggies posted 60 kills to SFA's 32. Senior outside hitter Michelle Cole recorded a match-high 16 digs and Moscovic finished with 45 assists.
A&M finished the match with a .366 hitting percentage while holding the Ladyjacks to a .105 hitting efficiency.
The Aggies conclude the tournament against Rice (2-1) at 5 p.m. The winner of the match will be declared the tournament champion.