KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team opened its home schedule on an upbeat note defeating visiting St. Mary’s University 25-16, 25-21 25-11 at the Steinke Center on Wednesday night.  Boxscore

The Javelinas (2-7) controlled the first set of play easily winning 25-16.  In the second set, the team briefly trailed the Rattlers (3-5) before using winning five straight points to take a lead midway through the set that they would not relinquish.  In the third set, it was all Javelinas as they jumped out to a 16-4 lead and cruised to victory.

“Kristen Chancellor did a great for us, but overall everyone played well and was ready,” said Javelina head coach Shannon Alvarado.  “The team really wanted to win this first game and they did the job.”
Chancellor, a junior, led the Javelinas with a match high 14 kills and a .571 attack, both were season highs. 
Freshman Courtney Attebery and junior Kirby Krueger handled the setting duties with aplomb as they combined for 34 assists.  Sophomore Virginia Hernandez led all players with 11 digs.  Overall, the team had a .263 attack and eight service aces.

The Rattlers struggled offensively with a .000 attack in the first set and a -.034 attack in the third set.  Stephanie Crowell led the team with seven kills while Sondra Cui dished off a match high 23 assists.

The Javelinas were just 2-19 all-time against the Rattlers heading into the match, but picked up an impressive victory heading into conference play.  The Javelinas do not return to action again until September 18 when they host Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference opener at 7 o’clock.
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