Women's Volleyball 10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM

Cardiac Kids Win Again

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team has eschewed the normal way to win a match in recent weeks and are developing a moniker as the “Cardiac Kids.” The Javelinas defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday afternoon 30-28, 24-26, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9 at the Steinke Center. (box score)
Neither the Javelinas (7-12, 3-4) nor the Bulldogs (8-13, 1-5) showed a strong ability to put the match away. In the first set, the Bulldogs controlled play throughout, but shot themselves in the foot time and again. They had four set points, but could not put it away due to three straight service errors to close out the set. The winning point of the set was fittingly on a Bulldog attack error.
In the second set it looked like the Javelinas were going to run away with another win. They jumped out to a 9-0 lead and then had leads of 13-3, 16-7 and 19-12 before the Bulldogs mounted a mighty comeback. They tied the score at 22-22 and then scored the final three points of the set to even the match at one set apiece. Kacia Sandburg’s ace clinched the set for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs carried the momentum of their Set 2 victory into the third set and quickly built up a 12-6 lead. Instead of giving up, the Javelinas buckled down harder and inched their way back into the match finally tying the score at 17-17. The Hoggies did not slow down and junior Kristin Chancellor (Bellville/Bellville HS) clinched the match with a nice kill.
The fourth set started out like the third set, but this time the Bulldogs did not give in. They never let the Javs draw closer than four points after taking a 12-8 lead midway through the set.
In the fifth set, the Hoggies came out of the break quickly and never let up. Freshman Amanda Waclawczyk (Poth/Poth HS) scored the final two points of the match for A&M-Kingsville and finished the match with a season high 11 kills to go along with four blocks.
It was a total team effort for the Hoggies as they played their third straight five set match against LSC opponents and fourth overall. Senior Shaday Smith (Houston/Jones HS) led the attack with 16 kills, a .300 attack and four blocks. It was her fourth straight match with at least 10 kills. Sophomore Sha Tramble (Houston/Clear Brook HS) notched her ninth double-double of the season with 15 kills, 19 digs and a team high four service aces. Chancellor posted another solid match with 10 kills, a .333 attack, five digs and five blocks. As a team, the Javs had 59 kills, a .218 attack and 9.0 blocks.
The Javelina defense was led by sophomore libero Virginia Hernandez (Katy/Katy HS) who led the way with 20 digs. Junior Tara Grier (Poth/Poth HS) added 10 digs. Freshman Courtney Attebery (Houston/Cypress Springs HS) picked up her first career double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs. Junior Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) led the team with 28 assists.
The Bulldogs pounded out 10 more kills than the Hoggies, but also committed 10 more attack errors and 14 service errors. Kacia Sandburg led all players with 20 kills and a .349 attack. Emily Walter, Staci West and Breawn Waynes each had at least 11 kills in the match. Kayla Bader led all players with 27 digs while Kristen Kaufman dished off 59 assists.
The win puts the Javelinas back in playoff contention with six conference matches remaining. Next week the team travels to LSC rivals Midwestern State on Thursday night and Cameron on Saturday afternoon.
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