SILVER CITY, N.M. (Volleyball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (19–5, 9-3 LSC) stood the test against Western New Mexico University (14-9, 6-6 LSC) in five sets inside of Drag's Court on Friday night.
The Javelinas rallied back and took the final two sets to hand the Mustangs their first home loss of the 2016 season. With the win, TAMUK increased its winning streak to seven straight and remain undefeated (5-0) in five-set matches.
Texas A&M-Kingsville had a strong will to win this match seeing that they were outhit .250-.237 and recorded one less block than Western New Mexico (12-11). The difference came in the fourth and fifth set where the Hogs trailed only once in the two sets, and had an outstanding sideout percentage of 90 in the fifth frame to show their offensive dominance. Krystal Faison and Ashley Bukowski each registered 16 kills while Bukowski also gathered 11 digs to record her tenth double-double this season. Lexi Wick and Haley Hutchinson both finished with 13 total points. Wick accomplished her scoring off of 11 kills, one block and one ace while Hutchinson was just short of a double-double after collecting eight kills and an individual career match-high of ten blocks. Casey Klobedans finished the night with a double-double after a performance of 53 assists, 11 digs, six kills and four blocks.
GAME INFORMATION
Sets: Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, Western New Mexico 2
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (19-5, 9-3 LSC), Western New Mexico (14-9, 6-6 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville is 2-2 against Western New Mexico
Location: Drag's Court
Time of Match: 7 p.m.
TEAM LEADERS
Texas A&M-Kingsville
Kills: Two players with 16 kills
Blocks: Haley Hutchinson, 10
Assists: Casey Klobedans, 53
Aces: Taliah Phipps, 3
Digs: Two players with 11 digs
Western New Mexico
Kills: Shannon Rich, 16
Blocks: Shannon Rich, 8
Assists: Melanie Hughes, 31
Aces: Ashley Mataele, 3
Digs: Ashley Mataele, 21
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The Hogs started fast with a 3-1 lead but the Mustangs tallied off seven unanswered points to take a 7-3 lead. WNMU never looked back and led by as much as nine points in the 25-17 set one victory over TAMUK. Faison recorded four kills in the set while Bukowski and Brabham each totaled two kills apiece.
Set 2
With the score tied 6-6 in set No. 2, the Hogs went on a massive 10-0 run highlighted by six attacking errors by the Mustangs. Though the home team made a push back towards the end of the set, Kingsville closed out Western New Mexico 25-20 to tie the match 1-1.The Javelinas forced nine attacking errors and finished with three total team blocks.
Set 3
The third frame was very competitive but the Mustangs pulled away late and led 22-17. The Hogs comeback fell short after back-to-back attacking errors ended the set with WNMU on top 25-19. Bukowski led with five kills for the second consecutive set and Faison, Wick and Hutchinson all found the floor two times each.
Set 4
After a back and forth beginning with the score tied 10-10, Western New Mexico went on a 6-1 run to take control. However the Hogs battled back and tied the set late at 24 before taking a 25-24 lead off of another Mustang attack error. Out of the timeout, Hutchinson recorded her fifth kill of the set to win it 26-24 and force a final set.
Set 5
The intensity at the end of the fourth set rolled right into the fifth set for the Javelinas as they kept the momentum and jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. TAMUK continued its dominance in the stanza and Bukowski's ace sealed the deal for a 15-10 win to take the match 3-2. The Javs were very efficient with 13 kills on .579 hitting led by Faison's four kills followed by three kills from both Bukowski and Klobedans.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Javelinas will face Eastern New Mexico tomorrow in Greyhound Arena at 7 pm CT.
For full coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball, please follow @JavelinaVB on Twitter and Instagram, like the official Facebook page of Javelina athletics (/JavelinaSports), and subscribe to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.
