AUSTIN, Texas (Volleyball) – After falling behind 2-1, Texas A&M University-Kingsville's (12-6) youth influx led a surging comeback to force a fifth set. Behind Krystal Faison's five kills in the fourth set, the Javelinas nearly gave St. Edward's University (12-2) its first nonconference loss of the season, but the Hilltoppers narrowly defeated TAMUK, 25-23, 23-25, 17-25, 25-13, 11-15, on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
The Javelinas took the opening set 25-23, behind Stephanie Johns and Ashley Tipps' eight combined kills, but the Hilltoppers edged out a close second set, 25-23, to tie the contest at 1-1. St. Edward's followed with a 25-17 victory in the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the nonconference bout.
 
However, the Javelinas dominated the fourth set, hitting .333 as a team and adding 22 digs and 5.0 team blocks to knot the match at 2-2.
 
The deciding fifth set featured two ties and a lead change with Washington posting five kills and seven digs in the frame, before St. Edward's clinched the victory with back-to-back kills by Mary Koehler.
 
The Hogs continued to block at will, finishing with 13.0 total team blocks, led by Tipps' seven, Johns' five and Casey Klobedans' five. Four Javelina players registered double-doubles as Faison posted 13 kills and 17 digs, Ashley Bukowski added 11 kills, 17 digs and two blocks, Klobedans recorded 46 assists, 15 digs and five blocks and Kelsey Washington finished with 10 kills, 20 digs and three blocks. Johns added 10 kills and Brett Zaccardo led TAMUK with 26 digs.
 
Koehler led the Toppers with 12 kills and 21 digs and Loren Kelly added 28 assists and 15 digs. Kelly Jimenez, who entered Saturday ranked 17^th nationally in digs/set, paced SEU with 30 digs.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville continues it road trip on Tuesday, Oct. 14 when it faces Texas-Permian Basin (7-10) at 6 p.m.
 
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