KINGSVILLE, Texas – Fresh off the best season in school history, Texas A&M University-Kingsville volleyball begins its 2017 campaign with lofty expectations. The season begins at the Kathleen and Brasfield Angelo State Invitational September 1. The two-day invite concludes Saturday in San Angelo.
The Blue and Gold were well-balanced in 2016, finishing the season atop the LSC in service aces (1.70), second in blocks per set (2.27) and fourth in kills per set (12.98). Boasting a program best 26-10 mark in 2016 en route to the first NCAA South Central Regional appearance, the Javelinas will birth the 2017 season at the same facility where the prior season ended - Stephens Arena at the Junell Center. Kingsville will play two matches Friday, beginning with New Mexico Highlands University at 9:30 a.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. match against Colorado Christian University. On day two of the invitational, the Javs will challenge Limestone College at 9:30 a.m. and close the tournament with a rematch against the Cowboys at 2:30 p.m.
"Overall, I am very excited to start playing," said head coach
Tanya Allen. "I am anticipating some nerves from them and I expect we will have some kinks to iron out, specifically defensively. However, we are ready to get the season going."
The Javelinas will return five starters and eight overall letter winners, led by seniors
Krystal Faison,
Casey Klobedans and 2016 honorable mention All-American
Lexi Wick.
Haley Hutchinson and
Madison Brabham join the trio, completing a healthy core poised to be a major threat in the Lone Star Conference. In addition to the returners, the coaching staff brought in a strong class of newcomers that are chopping at the bits for playing time. "We have a lot of young and new talent that are competing for various spots on the court," Allen noted.
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Texas A&M-Kingsville will match up against New Mexico Highlands for the fourth and fifth time in program history, holding a 2-1 all-time record versus the Cowboys after claiming victories in the last two matches. The Javs will encounter both Colorado Christian and Limestone for the first time.
Live stats and stream can be accessed at the following
link.
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