KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville beach volleyball team did not drop a set in two matches on their way to a pair of 5-0 wins, first over Stevenson University, then at the expense of Missouri Baptist University on Friday afternoon at the Javelina Beach Courts in Kingsville, Texas on the first day of the Emerald Beach Hotel Classic.
These wins put the Javs within one match of .500 at 2-3 in 2018.
Stevenson vs. TAMUK
Kyra Henderson and Madeline Sims picked up their team's first point from No. 5, winning in dominating fashion by overpowering Katie McGuire and Sarah Riggins, 21-11, 21-5 and Haley Hutchinson and Maelee Sowa followed suit against Julie Nightwine and Victoria Prokic, winning easily 21-14, 21-9. Loren Washington and Shelby Tate also triumphed at No. 6, 21-12, 21-16.
The Javelinas continued to have their way with their Mustangs in the second trio of matches. In the third flight, Tenley Housler and Erin Umbel disposed of Trang Christensen and Lizi Cudal, 21-6 and 21-10. Macy Berg and Madison Brabham picked another point out of the No. 2 spot with a 21-9, 21-12 victory and TAMUK's No. 1's, Gabby Atchley and Whitney Walker completed their team's clean sweep by brushing off an early challenge from Lauren Weaver and Katie Leftridge and securing a final of 21-16, 21-8.
Missouri Baptist vs. TAMUK
Kingsville's encore performance would prove to be a tougher test, but the Javelinas overcame a feisty Spartans team on their way to another clean sheet. At No. 4 Hutchinson and Sowa got the host squad on the board in 21-13, 21-17 fashion and Sims and Henderson quickly pushed that lead to 2-0, brushing off a challenge from Kristen Williams and Megan Williams in the No. 5 slot, 21-16, 21-15. Once again, Washington and Tate took the exhibition match, this one from Kelly Wilson and Brilee Henson, and they did so with ease, 21-9, 21-11.
The No. 3 flight saw Housler and Umbel push their record as a tandem to 3-2 by defeating Rachel Luebbers and Maggie Sorensen, 21-13, 21-15. Atchely and Walker were again given the top assignment and they responded with a 21-16, 21-9 victory, besting Marion Couraud and Sarah Bolton. The toughest challenge to the Javelinas' perfect day came from Kamden Maas and Mallory Morgan in the No. 2 flight, but Berg and Brabham managed to fend off the attempt to end TAMUK's shutout. They took the first set 21-16 and won a nailbiter in the second, 22-20, to clinch the 5-0 final.
The Emerald Beach Hotel Classic concludes on Saturday, when two more matches will be on tap for Tanya Allen's crew. They're first scheduled to face Huntingdon College at 10 a.m., followed by a clash with Principia College at 1 p.m. For results and a recap, visit Javelinaathletics.com. To stay up-to-date with everything related to Javelina beach volleyball, visit Javelinaathletics.com, follow @JavelinaBeach on Twitter and @JavelinaBeach on Instagram and like the /JavelinaSports Facebook page.
