The TexAnns fought hard for five sets Tuesday night against St. Mary’s University, but fell short in the last set with a close 18-16 score.

Tarleton State University won the first set after the Rattlers were pulling close with a score of 20-19, two kills coming from Meg Umbell and Katie Covell as well as two errors on the Rattlers, the TexAnns pulled away to win the set 25-19.

Going into the second set Tarleton had a good 17-12 lead. St. Marys came back with eight straight points to take the TexAnn lead 20-17. Tarleton came back to tie the game 20-20 but the Rattlers ended up taking the second set 25-22.

The third set started off with a 12-9 TexAnn lead, but the Rattlers fought back taking a 17-14 lead. Three straight kills helped the TexAnns to tie the set up at 17 but the Rattlers came back to win the set 25-21.

The set proved to be a good offensive showcase for the TexAnns. With kills from Stacie Murrah, Jazmine Green, Umbel and Covell, Tarleton took the set with a dominant 25-10 score. 

The fifth set was back and forth, with the TexAnns even leading 16-15 before the Rattlers came back and took the match winning set.

The TexAnns will be traveling to Kingsville to fight for their eighth win. The TexAnns will play Texas A&M-Kingsville Friday for their next conference match.