PORTALES, N.M. (Volleyball) – Call them the rallying Hogs. Down 2-1, the experience of seniors Kelsey Washington and Stephanie Johns led Texas A&M University-Kingsville (13-7, 5-4 LSC) to a thrilling five set victory over Eastern New Mexico University (9-12, 3-8 LSC), 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-7, on Friday evening in Greyhound Arena.
 
With the victory, the Javelinas swept the regular season series and have now defeated the Zias in seven consecutive matches.
 
After taking the fourth set, 25-20, Texas A&M-Kingsville dominated on all ends, attacking .529 and posting 3.0 team blocks while holding Eastern New Mexico to a .036 hitting percentage.
 
Washington finished with a season-high 23 kills and 15 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Eight of her kills came in sets four and five and the Cuero, Texas native recorded a .348 attack percentage. Ashley Bukowski added 17 kills, 10 digs, two assisted blocks and hit .364. Johns registered 11 kills and eight total blocks and freshman Casey Klobedans finished with seven kills (.412), 53 assists and four blocks.
 
The Javelinas opened with a bang, holding the Zias to -.024 hitting as the defense recorded 16 digs, two solo blocks and eight assisted to earn the first set win, 25-21. However, ENMU was able to overcome its slow start and gave TAMUK a scare after closing out set two on a 5-2 run and scoring the final three points in set three. Tied at 17-17 in the third set, the Zias capitalized on Lindsey Barron's three kills in the closing plays. With the victory, TAMUK is now 9-2 in matches that go four or five sets.
 
The resilient Hogs continued to rise nationally in the blocks department after posting 13.0 team blocks. Defensively, Brett Zaccardo and Krystal Faison reached double figures with 30 digs and 12 digs, respectively.
 
Barron and Lauren Frye paced Eastern New Mexico with 17 kills and 16 kills, while two players registered 20-plus assists, Kennedi Catano (27) and Karra Day (23).
 
The Javelinas take on West Texas A&M University (19-3, 10-0 LSC) tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the West Texas A&M Fieldhouse. Live stats, audio and video will be available and can be accessed by visiting the volleyball schedule page on JavelinaAthletics.com, the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville athletics.
 
The Lady Buffs received 90 votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. WTAMU is coming off a 3-1 victory over the Zias (Oct. 15) to improve to 10-0 in LSC play. In its first match at TAMUK, then No. 16-ranked WT defeated the Javelinas, 3-1, at the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Hampton Inn Court (Sept. 13).
 
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