KINGSVILLE, Texas (Volleyball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (20-7, 10-5 LSC) ended the weekend on a high note by defeating Texas Woman's University (7-17, 3-12 LSC) in four sets to complete the season series sweep inside of the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center on Saturday afternoon.
Much like the first meeting between the clubs, Texas A&M-Kingsville fell in the first set before plowing its way to victory in the next three sets. With the win, the Javelinas reach 20 wins in a single season for the first time since 1997 and ten conference wins for the first time since 1996. As a unit, TAMUK hit .284 and recored 11 total service aces.
Krystal Faison continues to add to her list of accolades in 2016 as she recorded her 1,000 career kill in the match against TWU. She led the way with 18 kills, five aces and tied Haley Hutchinson with two blocks. Faison notched yet another double-double with 15 digs and finished the match with a .292 hitting percentage. Lexi Wick collected 15 kills and three aces in the match followed by seven kills from Madison Brabham, five kills from Valarie Hill and four kills each from both Hutchinson and Casey Klobedans who also gathered 40 assists and two aces.
GAME INFORMATION
Sets: Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, Texas Woman's 1
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (20-7, 10-5 LSC), Texas Woman's (7-17, 3-12 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville is 9-36 against Texas Woman's
Location: The SPEC
Time of Match: 1 p.m.
TEAM LEADERS
Texas A&M-Kingsville
Kills: Krystal Faison, 18
Blocks: Two players with two blocks each
Assists: Casey Klobedans, 40
Aces: Krystal Faison, 5
Digs: Krystal Puente, 19
Texas Woman's
Kills: Sara Oxford, 15
Blocks: Sara Oxford, 3
Assists: Katy Ranes, 41
Aces: Jade Akins, 3
Digs: Sara Oxford, 13
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
After falling behind early 3-1, the Hogs took the lead by going on a 5-0 run to force a Pioneer timeout. Unfortunately, TWU finished on an 8-3 run to win the opening set 25-18.
Set 2
The Hogs took their first lead halfway through the set at 13-12 off of Wick's kill. TAMUK never looked back and with the score at 18-15, they closed out the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-17 and tie the match at one game apiece. Brabham played out of her mind in the frame, leading the way with six kills. Faison and Wick both finished with four kills.
Set 3
Texas A&M-Kingsville established an early 12-8 lead to kickoff the third set. The Pioneers could not handle the Hogs serves as they were aced four times. Faison recorded three aces and Wick was responsible for the fourth ace. The home team went on to win the set 25-19 and took a 2-1 match lead behind three kills each from Faison, Wick and Hill.
Set 4
Texas Woman's fought hard early to stay alive and force fifth set, but Kingsville was too much to handle in the end as the won 25-18 to close out the match 3-1. TAMUK was solid offensively with 18 kills and only two errors. Faison was nothing short of impressive with eight kills and Wick followed with six kills.
What's Next
The Blue and Gold will begin the final month of the regular season with a busy day at home on Tuesday, November 1. The Javelinas will face No. 10 Angelo State at 1 p.m. and then play their final non-conference match against Texas A&M International at 7 p.m.
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.
