After losing a 2-0 lead in falling in five games at home to Tarleton State on Saturday, the Javelinas lost a similar 2-0 lead Thursday night, but rallied to win game five and beat Eastern New Mexico to break a seven-match losing streak. The Javelinas (4-15, 1-4) dominated the Zias (6-14, 1-3) early on, winning the first two games 30-10 and 30-19. But the Zias rallied to win the next two 30-22 and 30-26.
In game five, the Javelinas jumped out to a 9-1 lead with all nine points coming on the serve of freshman Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels Canyon) and Leslie Petros (Corpus Christi King).
Eastern closed the gap to 12-8, but the Javelinas closed the match out by winning three of the final four points with Kristin Chancellor (Bellville) picking up two kills and Chelsea Zunker (New Braunfels Canyon) ending the match with a kill.
“We got a run of points to start game five and got momentum,” said Javelina head coach Jane Kieschnick. “It was huge to start that way after losing games three and four.”
In just her second match after missing a week with an ankle injury, Zunker led the Javelina with 17 kills and a .484 hitting percentage. She had five kills in the decisive game five.
“Chelsea is a lot healthier and is back in the groove,” said Kieschnick. “She’s finally comfortable again.”
Heidi Scheopner (Harlingen South) and Adina Gray (Corpus Christi Flour Bluff) each had 12 kills while Chancellor added 11.
Krueger (38) and Scheopner (29) combined for 67 of the team’s 72 assists and freshman Tara Grier (Poth) led the team with 26 digs.
The Javelinas hit a season-high .242 on the night including a season-best .500 in game one.
“We should have won in three games, but we didn’t,” said Kieschnick. “I’m just glad we won in game five. It’s a confidence building and it’s good to get a win before the start of the tournament.”
The Javelinas will host the Lone Star Conference Crossover Volleyball Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Steinke Center.
First match Friday is at 11:00 a.m. with the Javelinas hosting Cameron at 7:00 p.m.
