STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Black Hills State University volleyball team fell, 3-0, to Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce to open the 2018 schedule on Friday.

"We played some talented and experienced competition today," said head coach Kristin Carmichael. "We did good things at times, but had inconsistencies in too many areas. I was pleased with our communication and willingness to try new strategies.

TSU 3, BHSU 0
Tarleton State, who entered the season ranked No. 18 in the nation, swept Black Hills State, 3-0, in the opening match of the Tarleton Invitational. TSU won by scores of 25-11, 25-15, and 25-20.
In the first set, Tarleton State jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and never looked back. The Yellow Jackets trailed, 6-4, before the TexAnns went on an 8-0 run to lead by 10. With BHSU unable to string a run together, TSU took the initial set, 25-11.

The Yellow Jackets began the second set with a kill by Madison Hoopman, and went back-and-forth with the TexAnns, until TSU led, 6-5. Tarleton then used an 8-1 run to lead, 14-6, and take control of the set. BHSU would ultimately fall, 25-15, to go down, 2-0, in the match.

In the third set, the Green and Gold trailed, 15-11, before Jadie DeLange recorded a kill to get a 6-2 run started, and tied the set, 17-17. However, with BHSU down, 20-19, TSU used a 5-1 run to take the set, and the match.

Laurel Lech led the way for the Yellow Jackets with seven kills, 16 assists, and 13 digs. Freshman DeLange recorded six kills in her first career match.

TAMUC 3, BHSU 0
In the second match of the day, the Yellow Jackets fell, 3-0, to Texas A&M-Commerce by scores of 25-21, 25-18, and 25-14.

In the opening set, the Lions jumped out to a 4-1 lead before BHSU brought the game within one. Two kills from both Hoopman and Carisa Becerra, as well as a kill by DeLange, and a service ace by Reilley Baty made the game 8-7 in favor of the Lions. However, Texas A&M-Commerce then used a 7-1 run to take a 15-8 lead. Although BHSU would get within three points multiple times, they were unable to close the gap, and fell, 25-21.

The second set was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a significant lead well into the set. With the Yellow Jackets down by one, 17-16, the Lions found their rhythm, finishing the set on an 8-2 run, and winning, 25-18.

In the final set of the day, TAMUC opened up an 11-4 lead, eventually taking set three, 25-14, and the match, 3-0.

​​​​​​​Becerra had nine kills to lead BHSU on offense, while Laurel Lech had 18 assists.

The Yellow Jackets return to action at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 25. BHSU will take on Midwestern State, before playing Southwest Baptist at 1 p.m. to wrap up the Tarleton Invitational. Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.