FORT SMITH, Ark – In a match that went back-and-forth throughout, the 11th-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville women's volleyball team was knocked out of the Lone Star Conference Tournament by sixth-seeded Arkansas-Fort Smith, 25-22, 26-24, 25-19, on Tuesday night at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Ark.
Senior Melanie Casteel (Dallas, Texas) posted a team-high in kills with 11 and not far behind was junior Meghan Merlino (Sacramento, Calif.) with 10. Sophomore Kailey Estrada (San Antonio, Texas) hit .400 with seven kills on 15 attacks.
Sophomore Lauren Kadilis (Spring Branch, Texas) led the Javs with 15 assists, while junior Roxanne Morris (Goliad, Texas) recorded 14 helpers and 12 digs, tied with sophomore Nicole Murff (San Antonio, Texas) in the latter category for the most on the night for TAMUK.
The Javelinas were the first team to grab the momentum, using a 6-1 run that included two aces courtesy of senior Talleyshia Morris (Tulsa, Okla.) to gain a 7-4 advantage. Soon after, the visitors took four of five rallies for a four-point edge that still stood at 15-11, only for UAFS to take five of six points after that to tie the score. The Lions took their first lead of the set at 22-21 won three of four after that for a one-set lead. The Javs posted a .220 hitting percentage in the frame, but the home team was a little better at .382.
The second set started in similar fashion to the first, with TAMUK jumping in front, 5-2, but an answer by the Lions came swiftly. Trailing 8-6, UAFS won eight of the next nine and later added a stretch in which they snatched six of seven to make the score 21-13. From there, the Lions seemed primed to cruise the rest of the way, but the Javelinas stormed back with a 11-2 run that tied the score at 24. This surge included three blocks and a kill from Talleyshia Morris who led all players with four total rejections. Unfortunately, the Lions then secured the two points they needed to grab a 2-0 edge.
It was the home team that possessed the early initiative in the third set, racing out to a 15-4 lead before the Javelinas battled their way back into the set. They started by taking four-in-a-row, then put together a 6-1 burst that included three smashes from Merlino and sliced the UAFS lead to 20-16. It was as close as TAMUK would come. The Lions collected five of the next seven rallies and clinched their spot in the conference quarterfinals on a Javelina attack error.
To keep up with Javelina volleyball all year long, follow @JavelinaVB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter and Instagram, visit TAMUK Volleyball on Facebook, subscribe to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visit Javelinaathletics.com. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy.
