LAWTON, Okla. – The Cameron University volleyball team lost their first of two matches this week against UAFS in straight sets on Tuesday night. 

The Aggies could not get anything going on the attack, hitting just .057 with 27 kills in the three sets combined; CU was also out-blocked 11-6 by the Lady Lions.

Shantalle Demirjian had a team-high nine kills on a .278 attack percentage, while Katherine Manning led CU with 14 assists. The Black and Gold picked up four service aces in the match, with freshman Arianna Navarrete accounting for two of those. Demirjian also led CU with four total blocks, while Walia Franklin and Caitlyn Henderson each chipped in three.

UAFS used an early 7-1 run in the first set to take a 10-5 advantage. After CU got back to within two points twice, the Lady Lions struck again, this time for a 4-0 stretch that extended their lead back out to six. A 5-1 rally for the Aggies reset the deficit to just two points, and thanks to a kill from Sarah Wright and a Manning service ace, they were just one point away from tying the frame at 21. The Lady Lions then closed out the set on a 4-1 run to win 25-21.

Cameron came out firing in the second set, taking an early 5-1 lead. UAFS responded with six straight points to take their first lead of the frame. A few plays later the Lady Lions began an 8-2 rally that saw their lead swell to seven points. They then went on to win the set 25-17 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set was back and forth from the start, with CU leading halfway through at 17-15. That was when UAFS rattled off a 9-1 run to hit match-point at 24-18. Another Wright kill got CU to 19 points for the frame but an error on the next play ended the match.

With the loss, Cameron is now 4-7 overall this season and 1-2 in both Lone Star Conference and division play. They get another chance at the Lady Lions on Friday, Sep. 27, as they conclude the season series with a match scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in Fort Smith, Ark.