LAWTON, Okla. (Volleyball) –Texas A&M University-Kingsville (14-5, 5-3 LSC) hits the road again for three matches in two days, beginning Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Cameron University (2-16, 0-9 LSC) in Aggie Gym. The following day, the Javelinas have two matches scheduled at D.L. Ligon Coliseum, first versus Midwestern State University (8-10, 3-6 LSC) at 12 p.m. The weekend concludes with a 3 p.m. South Central Regional bout versus St. Edward's University (7-10).
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The Hogs went 2-0 last weekend after knocking off West Texas A&M University in five sets and then defeated UT Permian Basin in four at the SPEC to remain unbeaten at home. In the nine sets played, the club was led by Lexi Wick's 41.5 points, 30 kills and 13 total blocks. Wick recorded her first double-double of the season after gathering 11 kills and a career-high 10 blocks against UT Permian Basin.
As a unit in 2016, TAMUK hits .220 and limits its opponent to a .159 hitting percentage. With 171.5 total blocks this season, the team ranks fifth in the nation and leads the LSC. They also lead the league in blocks per set (2.38) and team aces (127). Krystal Faison leads the way with 222 kills while four other athletes have 100 or more kills this season; Wick at 188, Ashley Bukowski (171), Madison Brabham (126) and Haley Hutchinson (117). Faison sets the standard with 30 aces and Wick leads the conference with a .397 hitting percentage and 22 solo blocks. Wick is 10th in the nation with 82 total blocks. Casey Klobedans ranks seventh in the nation with 755 assists and has moved to first place on the all-time school's record book with 3,209 career assists.
The Javs open the weekend with a favorable road match at Cameron who seeks its first win in the LSC as well as at home. Jenna Gillean leads the Aggies with 240 kills and 27 total blocks. Asia Keene follows with 108 kills and adds 13 aces and 13 blocks. Josefine Caraveo has 106 kills on the season and has also collected 22 blocks. Haleigh McClain-Ward navigated the offense with 301 assists and Paige Dixon leads the club with 225 digs and 23 aces.
Cameron holds a 23-11 record over Kingsville and is 8-3 when playing in Aggie Gym. Last season, the Hogs and Aggies split the regular season series in 2015 but CU knocked TAMUK out of the LSC Championships after topping the Hogs in five sets.
Midwestern State is on a LSC two-match losing streak after dropping matches against No. 11 Angelo State and #RV Tarleton State. The Mustangs have a .500 record at home but have lost their last three matches at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Meghan Bettis is the anchor on the team with 186 kills, 155 digs and 25 aces, all leading MSU. Arielle Edwards has 184 kills and 19 blocks, Sarah Garfield with 144 kills and adds 30 blocks and 19 aces and Kiley Beaver has 102 kills with 27 blocks to round out the 100-plus kill club. Addison Semer is one kill short but leads the team with 39 blocks including ten of them as solo blocks. The Mustangs will have a non-conference match against Lubbock Christian University on Thursday, October 13 before hosting the Javelinas.
The Hogs are 18-11 in the all-time series against the Mustangs, however are just below .500 when playing MSU at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum. TAMUK has won the last four matchups dating back to 2014.
TAMUK will end the weekend with a non-conference match against St. Edwards immediately following its bout with MSU. The Hilltoppers are 5-1 in the Heartland conference but post a 2-9 record when stepping outside of league play. They also are 1-6 at a neutral location which benefits the Javs in this match. SEU enters the weekend on a two-game winning streak after defeating Lubbock Christian 3-2 and sweeping Oklahoma Panhandle State both at home. The club has four athletes with 100 or more kills in Katie Martin (131), Alexa McAndrew (126), Madison McClurg (123) and Kate Hendrix (116). Avalon Frantz leads the team with 271 assists and 16 aces, while Jaclyn Billie has registered 198 assists and ten aces. Mikayla Parker leads defensively with 60 total blocks and Morgan Beckham has a team-high of 6.24 digs per set. The Hilltoppers are scheduled for a Thursday night conference showdown against Dallas Baptist University in the state's capital.
Texas A&M-Kingsville is 9-15 all-time against St. Edwards but are 0-2 against at a neutral site. The Javs swept the Hilltoppers last season inside of the SPEC behind 13 kills from Bukowski and double-doubles from Faison and Klobedans.
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