KINGSVILLE, Texas – Despite 19 assists, 17 kills and 11 digs from senior Madison Brabham (Kingwood, Texas), the Texas A&M-Kingsville women's volleyball team was handed a four-set defeat, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20, 25-19, by the No. 22 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions on Friday evening in Lone Star Conference action on Dig Pink Night at the Stienke Physical Education Center in Kingsville, Texas.
Brabham's triple-double was her eighth of the 2018 season. She entered the night second nationally in that category, behind only Katie Adams of Wisconsin-Parkside. On this night, no one could match her 17 kills.
Freshman Emily North (Red Oak, Texas) posted a match-high 25 assists and matched Brabham's total with 11 scoops for her ninth double-double. Freshman Nicole Murff (San Antonio, Texas) and junior Loren Washington (Austin, Texas) also totaled 11 digs.
The teams tied seven times before Commerce took five straight for a 14-9 edge in the first set. The Javs rallied back by taking eight of 11, moving ahead 17-16, but the Lions took control after that. Eight of the frame's final 12 points went to the visitors and Shelley Chapron's kill gave them the game. The Javelinas outhit their opponents with a .243 hitting percentage compared to Commerce's .220.
The early stages of the second game saw the teams trading leads, as a 3-1 Commerce advantage turned into a 6-3 TAMUK edge. The Javelinas led by three again at 13-10, but 14 of the next 22 points went to the visitors, giving them a set point at 24-21. At that point, TAMUK stormed back to take the stanza. A ball handling error and a block by senior Haley Hutchinson (Georgetown, Texas) and freshman Kailey Estrada (San Antonio, Texas) forced a timeout, but the Javs couldn't be stopped. Two kills by Brabham put the Javelinas in front and a smash Estrada pulled her team even in sets at 1-1. TAMUK's hitting percentage rose even higher in the second frame to .262, while they held Commerce to a .158 clip.
The first five points in the third game went to Commerce and they used that start to build a 9-3 lead. Seven of the next 10 rallies went to the home team, making the score 12-10 and the teams traded points until Commerce led 17-15. The Lions then took six of eight for a six-point advantage and, after TAMUK moved within three, they captured the final two points, securing the set on a kill by Jaslyn Wacker.
A slim, 6-5, Commerce lead in the fourth frame was erased by a 6-1 Javelina run, but TAMUC took over after that on their way to securing the win. The visitors stole 11 consecutive points to put the score at 18-11. The Lions used that cushion as they moved to a match point at 24-17. On their third try, Bina Njikam clinched the match with her third kill.
Each team ended the night with 52 kills, but Commerce owned a slightly higher kill rate at .213 to the home team's .194. Shelley Chapron's hitting percentage of .478 led all players, as she amassed 12 kills with one error on 23 attacks. Savannah Rutledge's 17 digs led all players.
Another conference match awaits for the Javs on Saturday, when Texas Woman's will be in town for a 2 p.m. showdown at the SPEC. Live video and stats will be available through Javelinaathletics.com. To keep up with everything related to Javelina volleyball all season long, follow @JavelinaVB on Twitter and @javelinasports on Instagram, like Javelina Volleyball on Facebook and visit Javelinasports.com.
