KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team struggled most of the night against visiting Texas A&M-International losing a four set match 29-27, 17-25, 25-18, 25-17 before 378 fans at the Steinke Center on Tuesday night. (Boxscore)

The Javelinas (3-9) and the Dustdevils (3-11) played the first set and a half almost to a standstill.  TAMIU pulled out the first set 29-27 by scoring the final two points of the set.  Neither team led by more than three points throughout the set.  The second set was much the same way until Kingsville’s Sha Tramble (Houston/Clear Brook HS) served up eight straight points after the score was tied 15-15. 

The two teams went into the break tied 1-1 in sets, but it was the Dustdevils who came back from the 10-minute break ready to play.  TAMIU easily won the final two sets of the match to win going away.

The Javelinas sported just a .059 attack while the Dustdevils were a much more efficient .186 on the attack.  Junior Kristin Chancellor (Bellville/Bellville HS) led the Javs with eight kills and a .261 attack.  Sophomore Virginia Hernandez (Katy/Katy HS) led all players with 22 digs while Tramble added 11 of her own.  Junior Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) dished out 18 assists.

The Dustdevils had three players with at least 12 kills.  Nicole Gipson drilled a match high 15 kills against just one attack error.  Brittany Smith contributed nine kills and led the team with a .421 attack.  Danielle Gilley led the attack with 45 assists.  Alex Montemayor and Isela Flores each posted double-doubles.  Madison Mojica led the team with 19 digs.

The Javelinas go on the road for two straight Lone Star Conference matches this week.  First, they travel to Texas Woman’s University on Thursday and then they take on Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday.
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