KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – After a slow start to the season, the Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team has picked the right time to start playing well.  On Thursday night, the Javelinas defeated Lone Star Conference rival Angelo State University 27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-27, 15-12 at the Steinke Center.  Boxscore

The match featured a number of ups and downs for both squads as each had chances to take control.  In the end, it was the Javelinas (3-7, 1-0) edging the Rams (9-6, 0-1) in as even a match as anyone will ever see.  The two teams went to extra points in both the first and fourth sets.

The Javelinas received clutch kills from a variety a sources.  There were the usual suspects in Sha Tramble (Houston/Clear Brook HS), Kristin Chancellor (Bellville/Bellville HS) and Shaday Smith (Houston/Jones HS), but freshmen Chelsea Hower (Kingsville/King HS), Casey Chancellor (Bellville/Bellville HS) and Amanda Waclawczyk (Poth/Poth HS) were also able to contribute significantly.  

Tramble led the attack with 12 kills and 11 digs while Kristin Chancellor had 10 kills and 10 blocks and Smith had 10 kills and six blocks.  The Javs dominated with the net with 16 total kills against just four for the Rams.  The three freshmen combined for 17 kills and 11 blocks.

Defensively, Tara Grier (Poth/Poth HS) and Virginia Hernandez (Katy/Katy HS) were all over the court as Grier had 16 digs and Hernandez gathered a match high 26 digs.

Junior Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) led Texas A&M-Kingsville with 28 assists.  Freshman Madison Shelton (El Paso/Franklin HS) made the most of her playing time with a season high 14 assists.

The Rams had more kills in the match, 58-53, but had 40 attack errors on the night.  Kimber Duncan led all players with 20 kills while Alaina Sivells added 16.  Tess Brindock dished off 43 assists for the Rams.  ASU had four players with at least 10 digs in the match as Kayla Smith led the squad with 17.

The Javelinas gained a measure of revenge against the Rams after losing at Angelo State last year despite winning the first two sets. 

The Javelinas do not have much time to rest as Abilene Christian comes to town on Saturday for a 2 o’clock LSC match.  The match can be listened to online at http://support.tamuk.edu/KTAI.asx.  The match can be watched online at http://support.tamuk.edu/athletic/volleyball.asx. 
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