The University of Texas at Tyler volleyball team won arguably the biggest game in the history of the program Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory over Austin College before a boisterous crowd of 350 fans at UT Tyler's Herrington Patriot Center

AC is ranked #20 in the nation according to the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Poll released Monday.

UT Tyler played with gusto all night as they improved their American Southwest Conference record to 3-2 and 6-9 overall with the 18-30, 30-28, 33-31, 30-21 victory.

The loss was Austin College's (15-1, 5-1 ASC) first of the year and previous to tonight's match, AC had lost only one game all season.

Jessica Lightfoot led the Patriots with 19 kills followed by Callie Wade with 15 and Amanda Gadison with 12.

Kelly Roberts had 45 passes for UT Tyler while Wade and Karlee Juett had 18 digs each.

The Patriots dropped game one as it appeared that Austin College might easily continue their domination of ASC opponents.

But it wasn't to be.

In game two, a strong UT Tyler defense led by Roberts and Megan McCarty gave the Patriots the 30-28 win and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

UT Tyler combined for 22 kills in a back-and-forth game three. A late rally led by Lightfoot and Gadison broke stalemate, giving the Patriots the 33-31 victory.

Game four was all UT Tyler as the Patriots outdid Austin College 30-21 in the team's best all-around performance of the season.

The Patriots return to action Friday and Saturday at the ASC Crossover Tournament in Abilene.