KINGSVILLE, Texas (Volleyball) – The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas swept American International College, 3-0, and Eastern New Mexico, 3-1, on the first day of the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Volleyball Invitational.

The Javelina women dominated in their first match of the day against the Yellow Jackets with scores of 25-9, 25-15, and 25-9. Kelsey Washington led the team in kills with seven, followed by Krystal Faison with four. Brett Zaccardo had 11 digs in the game. As a team, the Javelinas hit an average of .483 and Washington led Kingsville in hitting with .778.

Kingsville's second match against Lone Star Conference rival, Eastern New Mexico, proved to be more of a challenge with scores of 21-25, 25-16, 25-15, and 25-14. In the first set, the Javelinas only hit .163 as a team and had seven errors. The Zias were able to win the first set by outhitting the Hoggies with a .361 hitting percentage and 16 kills.

The Javelinas showed more life in the second set by storming back to win the set. In set two, Ashley Bukowski led with five kills and Washington came in second with four. Kingsville came up with four blocks at crucial times to pick up the set.
During the third set, the Hoggies took control and never let up on Eastern New Mexico. Washington once again led the Javelinas in kills with five and the Hoggies had 14 kills the entire set. Karly Huebel accounted for three services aces in the set.

The final set was all Kingsville as the team amassed 11 kills, 21 total attacks, and a .286 hitting average.

The Javelinas ended the game with 56 kills, 46 digs, and 7 blocks. Bukowski led the team with 15 kills and four blocks. Washington came in second for the Javelinas with 14 kills and Faison was third with 12 kills.

Kingsville moves to 5-1 on the season and continues competition in the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Volleyball Invitational on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against Adelphi University and at 3:30 p.m. against LSC opponent, West Texas A&M.