KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – A fantastic home opening crowd at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court propelled the Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team to a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 over visiting St. Mary’s on Wednesday night.  (Box Score)

The Javelinas (5-0) burst out of the gates in the opening set attacking at a .297 percentage with 16 kills.  The Rattlers (1-4) struggled in the first set with just eight kills and a .081 attack.

The Hoggies have yet to drop a set in five matches this season and are off to their best start in school history.

The Javelinas had a number of outstanding individual efforts in the match.  Senior Tara Grier (Poth/Poth HS) nearly pulled off a triple-double with 11 kills, 15 assists, eight digs and a .421 attack percentage.  Another senior, outside hitter Adina Gray (Corpus Christi/Flour Bluff HS), pounded out 10 kills and led the team with a .474 attack.  Junior Sha Tramble (Houston/Clear Brook HS) had nine kills, a .316 attack and finished with a match high 24 digs.

The Javelinas finished the match with 45 kills and a .252 attack.  Senior Kirby Krueger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) directed the attack with 25 assists.  The team held the Rattler attack in check with 59 digs.

The Rattlers were led by Luisa Rodriguez who had seven kills, eight digs and a .278 attack.  Mallory Moeller led all players with five blocks on the evening.

The Javelinas are back in action this weekend at the Texas Woman’s University Tournament in Denton.  They will play two matches on Friday and two more on Saturday against UT-Permian Basin, Harding, Washburn and Southern Arkansas.
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