TAVARES, Fla. – Three more victories, one in pool play and two in the challenge pool have put the Texas A&M-Kingsville beach volleyball team two wins away from their second straight American Volleyball Coaches Association National Championship. They'll be playing for that title on Sunday after downing the Saint Leo Lions, the Tusculum Pioneers and the Florida Southern Mocs on Saturday afternoon at the Hickory Point Beach Sand Volleyball Complex in Tavares, Fla.
The Javelinas have earned the No. 1 seed in the gold bracket, which also includes Colorado Mesa, Spring Hill and Tampa. TAMUK's first match in this single-elimination competition will take place at 11 a.m. and will put them up against Colorado Mesa. The winner of that match and the Spring Hill-Tampa contest will play for the title.
TAMUK vs. Saint Leo
The day opened with the final match in Pool 1, pitting the Javelinas against the Saint Leo Lions. Senior Haley Hutchinson (Georgetown, Texas) and sophomore Macy Berg (San Antonio, Texas) got things started by taking the third flight, 21-11, 21-12. After a close first set, sophomores Whitney Walker (Bellingham, Wash) and Tenley Housler (Bulverde, Texas) sailed past the opposition in the second frame to claim the first flight, 21-16, 21-9.
A nail-biter ensued in the No. 2 match, with senior Madison Brabham (Kingwood, Texas) and freshman Kylexus Block (San Antonio, Texas) outfighting the Lions in each stanza, 21-19, 21-19. Freshmen Christina Gragasin (Celina, Texas) and Nicole Murff (San Antonio, Texas) cruised in the first set and fought their way to victory in the second, 21-11, 23-21. The only solace for Saint Leo came in winning the fourth flight, but all that did was make the final score 4-1.
TAMUK vs. Tusculum
The first match in the challenge pool was dominated by the Javs, who won 5-0 without dropping a set for the second time in the tournament.
The first point was put on the board by Brabham and Block in the second flight by a score of 21-15, 21-10. Not far behind were Gragasin and Murff, who triumphed 21-9, 21-16 and a win in third flight, 21-14, 21-14 was provided by Hutchinson and Berg.
Walker and Housler picked up their fourth win on the weekend, 21-15, 21-15. Juniors Melanie Casteel (Dallas, Texas) and TaylorLynn Noga (Anchorage, Alaska) posted their first victory of day in 21-14, 21-18 fashion.
TAMUK vs. Florida Southern
The third victory of the day clinched a perfect 2-0 record in the challenge pool and also sent the Javelinas through to the gold bracket.
In the second, third and fifth flights, the Javs maintained their spotless record, recording three more sweeps. Hutchinson and Berg won in each set by identical scores, 21-14, 21-14. Gragasin and Murff completed dominated the first set and cruised in the second for a 21-9, 21-16 final. Brabham and Block triumphed for the fifth time in the tournament, 21-15, 21-15. All three tandems have not lost a set in through two days and five matches.
The final point in the 4-1 win was provided by Housley and Walker in the first flight, 21-15, 21-15.
For complete coverage of TAMUK's title chase on Sunday, follow @JavelinaBeach on Twitter and @javelinasports and @JavelinaBeach on Instagram, like Javelina Sports on Facebook and visit Javelinasports.com.
