THIBODAUX, La. – Texas Southern won the opening set but couldn't maintain the momentum as they dropped a 3-1 decision to Niagara in the finale of the Colonels' Classic.
TSU battled back from an early deficit in the opening set and went back-and-forth as there were nine ties within the first 20 points. Erianna Murray moved TSU ahead 21-20 after a kill followed by a Kaitlyn Scroggins' ace as the lead grew to 22-20. Niagara would close to within 22-21 but an attack error followed by an ace from Dallas Balanay-Flores and a Scroggins kill sealed the set for TSU 25-21.
Set two was nearly a mirror image of set one with 13 ties. TSU had a chance to move ahead with set point (24-23) but Niagara answered with back-to-back kills to lead 25-24 followed by a TSU attack error to knot the match at 1-all. In the third set, TSU remained close as they were down 21-19 but Niagara scored four of the next five to claim the set for a 2-1 lead. The final set was again a close one but TSU couldn't get over the hump unfortunately as every time they would mount a rally, Niagara would pull away.
Thalia Cordero-Moreno led TSU with 20 kills and 16 digs while Chenise Cook added 12 kills. Aeris Ramsey recorded 27 assists followed by 23 from Balanay-Flores.
TSU is back in action next week in Abilene, Texas for the Wildcat Classic as they'll open against Green Bay at 3 p.m. on Friday.
