KINGSVILLE, Texas (Volleyball) – In her second to last home game as a Javelina,
Stephanie Johns gave the fans inside the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court an all-around performance, finishing with 14 kills, .387 attack percentage and nine blocks to lead Texas A&M University-Kingsville (18-11, 7-8 LSC) to a four-set victory over Midwestern State University (9-20, 3-13 LSC) on Friday evening.
Her eight assisted blocks give her 92 on the season, sixth most in single season school history. For her career, she now has 281 assisted blocks, which is good for second all-time on the school's charts. She is also third all-time with 344 total blocks and fourth with 64 solo blocks (two away from third).
Ashley Bukowski added 12 kills and four blocks as the Hogs downed the Mustangs, 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, to earn the season sweep.
Ashley Tipps and
Anyssa Matheson combined for eight blocks and Tipps added six kills on eight attempts. Defensively,
Brett Zaccardo finished with a game-high 23 digs,
Krystal Faison reached double figures with 13 and
Casey Klobedans registered her seventh double-double of the season with 36 assists and 10 digs.
Trailing 22-15 in the opening set, the Mustangs posted two unanswered points to cut their deficit to 22-17 before the Javelinas answered back with three points of their own to take the first set, 25-17.
MSU came out to a quick lead in the second set, but the Blue and Gold continued to claw their way back into the contest. However, Midwestern State's Addison Semer clinched the second set win, 25-19, for MSU with back-to-back kills to tie the match at 1-1.
Johns and Bukowski each posted four blocks apiece in the third set as Texas A&M-Kingsville's defense led the way to take the third game, 25-22. In the set, Bukowski and Tipps recorded nine kills.
Behind two service aces by
Kelsey Washington, the Hogs went on an 6-1 run to rally from behind and close out the fourth set with a 25-23 victory, earning its seventh Lone Star Conference win of the season.
The Javelinas welcome Cameron University (12-14, 4-11 LSC) tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Mike Shaw Automotive Senior Day. Live stats and video will be provided and can be accessed by visiting the volleyball schedule page on JavelinaAthletics.com. Prior to the game, Washington, Johns, Tipps and
Sarah Fountain will be honored for their contributions to the volleyball program.
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