CORPUS CHRISTI – Sam Houston traded points with Tarleton through four sets before falling in the fifth Friday evening at the Dugan Wellness Center in Corpus Christi starting the Bearkats weekend at the Islanders Classic. 

The Bearkats (4-4) had three players finish in double figures in kills. Freshman Chloe Monson led the way with 19, followed by Lauren Malone with 13 and Chelsea Butler with 11. Tarleton (4-4) countered with four players in double digits, highlighted by Madison Frank's team-high 14 kills. 

After dropping the opening set 25-19, the Kats responded with back-to-back wins in the second and third sets. Tarleton edged out a 25-23 victory in the fourth to even the match, then closed it out with a 15-11 decision in the fifth despite a late Sam Houston push. Michaela Panekova extended the rally with a kill at match point, but the comeback fell short. 

Rachelle Reed led the team in blocks at six with Panekova followed with five. Avery Folwer had the most assists on the team with 35. Fowler and Panekova tied with 10 digs this match, while Monson and Shaelin White had eight apiece. 
 
The Bearkats next matchup will be Saturday against Prairie View A&M at 11 a.m. followed by a later match with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. at the Dugan Wellness Center.  

Both matches can be followed on Statbroadcast. The Kats' match vs the Islanders can be watched live on ESPN+.