Women's Volleyball 10/9/2008 12:00:00 AM

Volleyball Picks up Key Victory

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – It was not just another day at the beach for the Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team on Thursday against Lone Star Conference rival University of Central Oklahoma. The Javelinas appeared dead in the water before coming back to win the final two sets and take the match in five sets at the Steinke Center. (box score)
The Javelinas (6-12, 2-4) came out firing as they recorded 20 kills in the first set en route to a 26-24 victory. In the second set, the Bronchos (10-14, 3-2) hammered 17 kills and posted a .516 attack percentage to even the match with a 25-13 win.
The third set proved to be one that the Javelinas will want to forget. It appeared that the team would take a 2-1 lead as they controlled play for most of the set. They had leads of 18-10, 21-14 and 24-19, but the Bronchos played great defense down the stretch and scored the final seven points of the set to win 26-24.
After losing such a big lead, it was assumed by most that the Bronchos would ride their momentum to a victory, but the Hoggies had other thoughts.
In the fourth set, Kingsville got off to another quick start and this time there would be know late comeback. The Javs did not have a particularly sparkling attack in the set, but gutted out the 25-20 win to force a fifth and deciding set.
The fifth set was much like the fourth as the Javelinas jumped out to a lead they would not relinquish. Sophomore Sha Tramble’s (Houston/Clear Brook HS) 14th kill of the match proved to be the clincher giving the Javs a 15-12 win.
Tramble finished the match with her eighth double-double of the season as she added 19 digs and three aces. Hoggie senior Shaday Smith (Houston/Jones HS) continued her recent string of excellent play with a season high 17 kills, a .378 attack and four blocks. Junior Kristin Chancellor (Bellville/Bellville HS) rounded out the Big Three with 13 kills and four blocks. The team had 61 kills on the night, sending all the fans home happy with free Whataburger.
A&M-Kingsville junior setter Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) posted her second straight double-double in conference play with 28 assists and 16 digs. Freshman setter Courtney Attebery (Houston/Cypress Springs HS) dished off a season high 26 assists. Sophomore libero Virginia Hernandez (Katy/Katy HS) led the team with 30 digs while junior Tara Grier (Poth/Poth HS) added 13 digs.
The Bronchos had more kills, 67 and a better attack, .215, than the Javelinas, but also had more service and reception errors. Kristen Wilson led the team with 20 kills and 12 digs while Kim Iten added 13 kills and 10 digs. Jessica Legako contributed 11 kills and a match high six blocks. Meaghan Wedberg directed the offense with 44 assists and seven kills. Sarah Niles led all players with 34 digs on the evening.
The Javelinas are back in action on Saturday at 2 o’clock against Southwestern Oklahoma at home. The match can be viewed via live web cast at http://www.teamline.cc/sportpage?teamcode=7836&eventcode=45.
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