KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – On the opening night of the 2011 season the Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team gave #25 Abilene Christian University all they could handle before losing in five sets at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court in front of 1,200 fans. The Javelinas won the first two sets 25-23 and 25-19 before the Wildcats won the final three 25-15, 25-12, 15-13.  (box score)

The Javelinas (0-1, 0-1) charged forward in the first two sets behind the strong arms of Lauryn Lozano (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) and Bethany Friesenhahn (Poth/Poth HS) and defense of Laura Macek (Wilson, KS/Ellsworth HS) and Ali Insell (The Woodlands/The Woodlands HS). Lozano and Friesenhahn combined for 16 kills in the first two sets. Macek notched five of her match high eight blocks while Insell compiled 15 of her match high 30 digs in the first two sets.

The Wildcats (4-1, 1-0) cruised through the next two sets. Jennie Hutt and Sara Oxford tallied 18 kills and had only two attack errors to lead the way.

In the fifth set, the Javelinas led 12-10 before the Wildcats stormed back. With the score tied at 13, Hutt posted back-to-back kills to finish the match.

The Javelinas had 48 kills, 10 blocks and 77 digs in the match while posting a .121 attack. Lozano led the team with 14 kills, 11 digs and a .237 attack. Stephanie Johns (Lubbock/Coronado HS) had the top attack percentage at .312. Sondra Cui (Schertz/Steele HS) added a double-double with 23 assists, 10 digs and three aces.

The Wildcats posted a .218 attack percentage with 59 kills and 76 digs. Hutt led the way with 20 kills, 19 digs, four blocks and a .405 attack. Oxford added 14 kills and six blocks. Caley Johnson dished out 51 assists and had 16 digs.

The Javelinas are back in action this weekend in Canyon, TX to play four matches on Friday and Saturday. They play Panhandle State and Eastern New Mexico on Friday and New Mexico Highlands and West Texas A&M on Saturday.
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