KINGSVILLE, Texas (Volleyball) –  Texas A&M University-Kingsville (13-5, 4-3 LSC) knocks off West Texas A&M University (10-6, 6-2 LSC) in comeback fashion Friday night in the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center to remain perfect at home in 2016.

The home win marks the first time the Javelinas have defeated the Lady Buffs at home since the 2004 season. 

Texas A&M-Kingsville battled back by winning the final two sets to improve its record to 3-0 in five set matches. The Javelinas hit .212 and gathered eight service aces against the Lady Buffs who came into the match with one of the longest winning streaks in the conference.

Krystal Faison and Lexi Wick had match highs of 19 kills (season high for Wick). Faison picked her tenth double-double this year after collecting 25 digs and also added two service aces. Senior Ashley Bukowski  also recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs as well as Casey Klobedans who finished with 59 assists and 15 digs. Madison Brabham was the X-factor as she collected 11 kills and three blocks while Haley Hutchinson caused fits for WT after tying her season high of seven blocks to go along with her four kills. Libero Krystal Puente topped her season high again by gathering 27 digs and Taliah Phipps tied her season high in service aces with three in a single match.   

GAME INFORMATION
Sets: Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, West Texas A&M 2
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (13-5, 4-3 LSC), West Texas A&M (10-6, 6-2 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville is 4-48 against West Texas A&M
Location: The SPEC
Time of Match: 7 p.m.

TEAM LEADERS
Texas A&M-Kingsville
Kills: Two players with 19 kills
Blocks: Haley Hutchinson, 7
Assists: Casey Klobedans, 59
Aces: Taliah Phipps, 3
Digs: Krystal Puente, 27

West Texas A&M
Kills: Cori Haley, 13
Blocks: Elisa Bentsen, 6
Assists: Selena Batiste, 29
Aces: Rachel Rhoades, 2
Digs: Lauren Britten, 24

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1

The Javelinas jumped out to an early 8-5 lead behind two service aces from Phipps. However, WT answered back with four consecutive points to take a 9-8 lead. Both clubs played tough resulting in 11 ties in the opening frame but at 18-18 the Lady Buffs closed out the set on a 7-0 run to win the first round. Wick led the set with five kills followed by three kills from Faison and Brabham.

Set 2

TAMUK came out swinging literally after two big girl swings by Bukowski for a 6-2 lead that expanded to 12-6. Faison was unstoppable in the set with six kills and a block and Wick following with five kills and a block as the Hogs held the lead wire-to-wire and claimed a 25-19 win behind another 6-2 run to end the set and tie the match at one game apiece.

Set 3

The Lady Buffs came out of the locker room and controlled much of set No. 3. However, with the score 21-18, the Javs went on a 4-0 run to take a 22-21 advatnage. Despite the rally effort though, WT escaped the third set with a 25-23 win to go ahead in the match 2-1.

Set 4

Deep into the set, the Hogs lead 15-11 after two kills from Brabham and one from Wick to steal some late momentum in a hostile stanza. Brabham stole the show in the set leading the team with five kills to force a fifth set after winning the fourth 25-17. Wick, Faison and Bukowski each had three kills and Klobedans had an impressive 12 assists in the set. 

Set 5

Kingsville controlled majority of the fifth set largely due to an explosive 7-0 run to put the Hogs ahead 12-6. West Texas A&M did have a late push to make the set respectable, but an attack error by the Lady Buffs and two kills from Faison sealed the deal for the Javelinas with a 15-11 victory. Bukowski was perfect with four kills on four attacks while Wick and Faison each garnered three kills. The Hogs hit .333 in set five, their best of the night.

WHAT'S NEXT

Texas A&M-Kingsville will close out the weekend with a match against UT Permian Basin at 2 p.m. inside of the SPEC. 

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.