FORT SMITH, Ark. – Despite 11 kills from freshman Ayanna Jackson (San Antonio, Texas) and a third consecutive double-double from sophomore Jackie Alanis (McAllen, Texas), the Texas A&M-Kingsville women's volleyball team fell to the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions, 25-21, 25-18, 25-17, in Lone Star Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Ark.
Jackson posted the Javelinas' best hitting percentage with a mark of .310 and her 11 kills also marked the fourth straight time she reached double figures in that stat. Alanis led all players in smashes by rattling off 12 and she also totaled 10 digs.
TAMUK's lead in digs was junior Nicole Murff (San Antonio, Texas), who had 16. Junior Emily Witt (Rose Hill, Kan.) tallied 29 assists.
The Javelinas led for much of the first set, using a 5-1 burst that included three smashes by Alanis to move in front, 9-6. TAMUK still led later in the frame, 17-15, but UAFS used a 9-1 run to flip momentum and take a 24-18 lead. The Javs fought off the first three set points, but on the fourth, a kill by Paola Fragelle iced the frame.
The Lions started the second set by taking a 5-1 lead and they later stretched their lead to eight at 16-8 by collecting five-in-a-row. The Javelinas responded by trimming that lead to four, thanks in part to consecutive rejections by junior Kailey Estrada (San Antonio, Texas) and Kapri Pelle (Auburn, Calif.) that made the score 22-18, but UAFS wouldn't let their guests any closer. They won the next three rallies to secure a 2-0 lead.
The early edge belonged to UAFS in the third set as well in the form of a 4-1 lead and a stretch in which the Lions took nine of 12 points later upped the Lions' advantage to nine at 20-11. TAMUK was able to close within six at 22-16, but the Lions held off the Javs attempt at a comeback and a smash from Savannah Wharton brought the day to an end.
Stay up-to-date with everything related to Javelina volleyball all season long by following @Javelina_VB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter, @JavelinaVB and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, liking TAMUK Volleyball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com.
Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy. Get the Official Javelina Athletics Mobile App today! Download on the App Store or Get It on Google Play to keep up with all the news, scores and updates of your favorite Javelinas
