KINGSVILLE, Texas (Volleyball) – Following an 8-1 start to the season, Texas A&M University-Kingsville begins Lone Star Conference action in the friendly confines of the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court, hosting Western New Mexico University (6-3) September 16 at 4 p.m. and Eastern New Mexico University (4-5) September 17 at 2 p.m.
Live stats and video will be available free of charge on JavelinaAthletics.com. Kevin Piel will be on the Javelina Sports Network for both games, beginning with the pregame show.
The Javelinas are coming off of a 3-1 weekend at the ThunderWolves Classic in Pueblo, Colo. Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated Adams State University 25-16, 25-16, 24-26, 25-14, host Colorado State University-Pueblo (23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 22-25, 16-14) and Nova Southeastern University (25-16, 25-21, 24-26, 15-10).
Krystal Faison leads the team with 111 kills this season, sixth most in the LSC and inside the top 50 in NCAA Division II. Lexi Wick was the team leader with 12 service aces in the ThunderWolves Classic and her 19 aces on the year ranks fourth nationally in Division II. Casey Klobedans fell three assists shy of 200 this past weekend, averaging 9.85 assists per set and is second overall in the conference with 339 total assists.
The Hogs have been a balanced squad early on in 2016 and are in the top 50 in NCAA Division II in eight statistical categories, including a second-place rank in team service aces (70). The club ranks ninth in team total blocks (76). Their 2.06 aces per set leads the LSC and holds opponents to a league-low .151 hitting percentage.
A competitive Western New Mexico team comes to town on a two-match winning streak after back-to-back sweeps of Texas A&M International University and Westminster College. The Mustangs hit .238 in 2016, second best behind the Javs with 61 aces and are second with 2.25 blocks per set.
Heather Verrill leads the way with 97 kills, while Melanie Hughes and Cristal Carrizza navigate the offense with 160 and 128 assists, respectively. Hughes also leads WNMU with 14 service aces followed by Ashley Mataele's 12. Mataele leads Western with 131 digs and Shannon Rich holds down the middle with 35 blocks and ties Morgan Lyneis with 65 kills.
Texas A&M-Kingsville trails Western New Mexico 2-0 in the all-time series with both matches taking place at a neutral site. The Javelinas and Mustangs met for the first time in 2000 at the St. Edward's Tournament in the state capital and then in 2008 in the Alamo City Classic in San Antonio, Texas. Kingsville fell in four sets in both matches.
Eastern New Mexico will come to the SPEC on Saturday at 2 p.m. in what will be their first LSC match of the season. The Greyhounds are on a two-match losing streak after falling to Colorado Mesa University and Lubbock Christian University in four and five sets, respectively. Opponents hit .219 against ENMU and average two blocks per set.
Lauren Frye leads the team with 161 kills and have recorded 25 blocks, 16 digs and two service aces. Brooklyn Biel follows with 118 kills to round out the 100-kill club, but leads in total blocks with 26. Alexis Aguirre paces the Greyhounds with 267 assists and Kaitlyn Kluna is next with 171 assists. Kluna leads Eastern New Mexico with 14 aces.
Despite being down in the overall series (22-31), the Javelinas are currently on a nine-match win streak against the Greyhounds dating back to 2011. TAMUK is 14-11 at home with its last home loss to ENMU coming in 2004.
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