MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Concluding their second weekend of non-conference play, the Texas A&M-Kingsville women's volleyball team showcased some outstanding defense on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Bridgeport Purple Knights on Saturday afternoon at the Health and Sports Center in Miami Shores, Fla.
The Javelinas concluded the final day of the Barry University Classic by notching a pair of wins after sweeping Southern Connecticut State in the morning.
"It's nice to get two wins," said coach Tanya Allen. "I thought the team did a nice job today of focusing on the skills we struggled with yesterday."
The .064 hit rate Bridgeport (2-2) put up represented to lowest number the Javelinas (5-3) have held an opponent to so far this season. For the second consecutive match, the Blue and Gold didn't allow any opposing player to reach 10 kills, with Morgan Knight's eight standing as Bridgeport's team-high.
Three different players registered at least 10 scoops for the Javs, as freshman Nicole Murff (San Antonio, Texas) led the way with 21. Junior Loren Washington (San Antonio, Texas) dug out 11 attacks and junior Sarah Miller (Lonr Beach, Calif.) finished with 10.
Miller (Long Beach, Calif.) and freshman Kylexus Block (San Antonio, Texas) were the top performers on the offensive end. Block's 14 kills and .333 attack percentage both represented game-high's and Miller was not far behind with 12. The assist column was dominated by a pair of players, as freshman Emily North's (Red Oak, Texas) 25 represented the most of any player and senior Madison Brabham (Kingwood, Texas) pitched in with 20 helpers.
A 9-3 Javelina run started the contest with Miller contributing three kills and Washington reeling off three straight aces. The Purple Knights soon got hot, however. With the scoreboard showing the Javs in front by six, they rattled off eight-in-a-row to jump in front 16-14. A kill by Brabham interrupted that streak, but Bridgeport followed with five-point spurt to make the score 22-15. TAMUK mounted a comeback to get within two, but the last three points went to the Knights, the final one coming on an attack error by freshman Jordan Wonders (Corpus Christi, Texas). Washington led all players in the frame with seven digs.
After hitting just .027 in first set, the Javs flipped the script in the second, attacking at a .333 clip while limiting Bridgeport to a mark of -.103. The Knights led early, 6-3, before the Javelinas captured the next eight rallies, with Block contributing three kills, for a score of 11-6. They also went on a 10-2 run in the game, which officially went to TAMUK following an Emily Burford attack error.
Bridgeport attempted to regain the momentum by moving in front 7-5, only to see the Blue and Gold completely dominate the rest of the way. The Javelinas allowed their opponents consecutive points just once for the rest of the set while they strung together at least three straight points four times, including taking the last three of the set. Blasts from senior Haley Hutchinson (Georgetown, Texas) and junior Melanie Casteel (Dallas, Texas) and another Burford attack error put TAMUK in front 2-1. The Knights' offense was again held in check in this frame, as their attack percentage sunk to -.138 and their five kills were accompanied by nine errors.
The match was sealed by an excellent offensive performance from the victors. By committing only one attack error on 36 swings with 18 kills in the final set, the Javs posted .472 attack percentage that Bridgeport could not keep up with. A 5-5 tie become a 13-10 lead for the Blue and Gold before a 7-1 burst built an insurmountable lead and the finishing touch was provided by Brabham, who contributed her ninth spike.
The next time the Javelinas step on the court, it will be for their home opener against Western New Mexico. That match will begin at 4 p.m. on Sept. 7th at the Steinke Physical Education Center. 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.
