KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – What a difference a week makes. One week ago the Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team lost at Angelo State in three sets while scoring only 35 points total. On Tuesday night, the Javelinas (4-5, 2-5) won the first two sets before dropping the final three to the No. 18 Belles (14-0, 6-0) at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. (box score)

The Javelinas used a strong defense at the net and consistent attack to take the first two sets 25-17 and 25-23. The Belles posted attack percentages of .132 and .135 in the first two sets while the Hoggies attacked at a .247 clip. The Javs had nine total blocks in the first two sets and were led by Laura Macek’s (Wilson, KS/Ellsworth HS) eight blocks.

The Belles turned to Emily Booth to provide a spark. She did not play the first two sets, but pounded out 12 kills and a .400 attack over the final three sets. The Belles scored the first six points of the third set and led 16-7 before the Javelinas went on an 11-2 run to tie the score. Angelo State rebounded and scored seven of the last ten points of the set to win.

In the fourth set, the Javelinas scored the first five points of the set. They still held a five-point lead at 14-9 before the Belles stormed back to tie the score at 16 and then score seven of the last eight points of the set to force a fifth and decisive set.

The Javelinas scored the first two points of the fifth set, but then it was all Belles as they posted a 15-7 win to take the match.

For the Javelinas, it was their third five set Lone Star Conference loss of the season. They finished the match with a .227 attack, 58 kills, 74 digs and 14.5 blocks. Macek finished with four kills and a career high 11 blocks. Kelsey Washington (Cuero/Cuero HS), Lakeshia Craft (Pflugerville/Connally HS) and Stephanie Johns (Lubbock/Coronado HS) each had at least a .300 attack. Washington had 17 kills, six digs and four blocks, Craft added 10 kills and two blocks while Johns added nine kills, three aces and two blocks.

Sondra Cui (Schertz/Steele HS) and Giselle Carreon (Corpus Christi/Carroll HS) each had over 20 assists in the match. Cui led the team with 29 assists, three aces and two blocks while Carreon added 22 assists and four digs. Ali Insell (The Woodlands/The Woodlands HS) led the defense with 25 digs.

The Belles had 64 kills, 88 digs and four blocks while posting a .213 attack. Celeste Bonter led the team with 20 kills and a .362 attack. Chelsea Gibson added 16 kills and a .379, including the match-winning kill. Shelby Wilt and Kayla Smith led the defense with 23 and 22 digs, respectively. Alex Woolsey posted a double-double with 52 assists and 14 digs.

The Javelinas are back in action on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against LSC rival Texas Woman’s at home. The Javs are now 0-4 on the season against ranked opponents.
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