LAREDO, Texas (Volleyball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (8-4) defeated Texas A&M International University (0-10) in three sets on Tuesday night in the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The Javelinas won the match with scores of 25-19, 25-19, and 25-20.
 
Kingsville was able to end each set in spite of late rallies from International to put the Dustdevils away.
 
In the first set, the Javelina women came out strong scoring seven unanswered points after the score was tied 1-1 and never looked back. At 20-12, the Dustdevils attempted a rally but were quickly quelled with errors and kills from Kelsey Washington and Ashley Bukowski.
 
The Hoggies struggled to get in rhythm in set two but found their footing at a tie of 13-13 when Bukowski scored a kill off of an assist from Casey Klobedans. International refused to give up the set without a fight with another late rally at 16-16. The set was won with a kill from middle blocker Stephanie Johns.
 
There were seven lead changes in the third set before the Javelinas took control. With the score tied at 11-11, Kingsville scored three unanswered points to overtake the Dustdevils. Once again, International attempted a rally  at 19-13 but the Hoggies held on to finish the set with a kill from Shaquinn Parker to end the match.
 
"Tonight was a good win that will hopefully give us some momentum for this weekend. Our middle blockers [Johns, Parker and Ashley Tipps ] were outstanding offensively. They hit for very high percentages and were very aggressive," said Coach Tanya Allen, "I was very pleased with our setters [Klobedans, Sarah Fountain, Kelly Cavanaugh]. They each contributed at different points in the match."
 
Johns led the way for the Hoggies with 12 kills, six blocks and a hitting percentage of .500. Bukowski came in second with 10 kills. Klobedans had the most assists of all the Javelinas with 14 while Cavanaugh and Fountain had nine and eight, respectively. Defensively, Brett Zaccardo had 18 digs. Washington was second with 15 and Krystal Faison was third with 13. Tipps finished the match with the highest hitting percentage of .714.
 
As a team, Kingsville hit .281 with 48 kills and nine total team blocks.
 
Defensively, Alejandra Bustamante had 19 digs followed by Lizzie Prieto with 10. Tasmin Apple had six kills for the Dustdevils.
 
The Javelinas will continue play at home on Kingsville Hampton Inn as they face Texas A&M University Commerce on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Texas Woman's University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.
 
For complete coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball, please follow @TamukVBALL on Twitter or visit the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville Athletics at JavelinaAthletics.com.