RUSTON, LA.– The Sam Houston volleyball team opened mid-week Conference USA play with a win over Louisiana Tech at Thomas Assembly Center.  

The Bearkats (8-8, 3-2) earned a hard-fought, four-set victory on Tuesday, defeating Louisiana Tech 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23.  

Sam Houston started off with a bang going on an early 5-0 run. The Bulldogs made it interesting tying it 7-7. But the Bearkats finished strong to take the opening set 25-23 with Alyssa Fielder leading the charge with six of the 16 kills in the opening set.  

The Bulldogs led set two until the Bearkats rallied to tie it at 20 with back-to-back kills by Fielder. Sam Houston went on to win the second set, 25-22, after trailing by as many as eight points. 

 Louisiana Tech wouldn't go down without a fight, leading the entire third set. Despite a Bearkat comeback, the Bulldogs took the set 25-23. Sam Houston capitalized in the fourth set to get the victory. 

Fielder and Lylah Washington both had 12 kills to led the night. Hannah Baker led the team with 20 digs, and Avery Fowler had 31 assists.   

The two teams will play again Wednesday at Thomas Assembly Center in the final regular season meeting with first serve set for 6 p.m.