CANYON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team opens Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championship play Thursday at 2:30 p.m. when the Javelinas take on Texas Woman's in the first round of the single-elimination tournament at the West Texas A&M Field House.
Javelina fans can follow live video and live stats of all the action from the tournament web page at http://www.gobuffsgo.com/sports/2013/10/28/WVB_1028133405.aspx?id=185.
Kingsville enters the tournament with a 15-18 overall mark and was 6-10 during conference play to earn the seventh seed. The Pioneers are the second seed in the tournament with a 20-8 overall record and a 10-4 LSC mark.
The two sides split during the regular season as each won on the others home court.
In the first meeting on Oct. 4 in Denton, three Javelinas had multiple kills in a 17-25, 25-14, 25-16, 18-25, and 15-13. Kelsey Washington led the way with 14 kills and 15 digs – one of her 17 double-doubles, while Stephanie Johns and Dedra Brown each had 13. Johns added seven blocks. Brittany Gutierrez led the defense with 31 digs. Giselle Carreon and Sarah Fountain combined for 49 assists. Chloe' Tate led the Pioneers, which hit .109 in the match, with 15 kills.
While the Pioneers swept the second meeting of the teams in three sets when they met Kingsville Hampton Inn Court, two of the sets were decided by two points apiece. After dropping the opening set 25-17, Kingsville lost 27-25 and 25-23. Marcela Alves led TWU with 11 kills and five blocks, while Morgan Wilson had 16 digs. The Pioneers more than doubled their hitting percentage with a .250 attack mark.
Brown and Washington had 11 kills each for the Hoggies who hit .176. Washington and Mariah Carlin each had 11 digs and Sarah Fountain had 21 assists.
The winner of the match will play either No. 3 Angelo State or No. 6 Midwestern State on Friday at 5 p.m. The title contest will be Saturday at 2 p.m.