Leo Garcia

Women's Volleyball 10/13/2022 2:58:00 PM Ryan Smith, Athletic Communications Coordinator

Volleyball to host Lubbock Christian and Eastern New Mexico on Homecoming weekend

The Javelinas will take on the Lady Chaps Friday before a matchup with the Greyhounds Saturday.

KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team is set to host a pair of Lone Star Conference matchups this weekend, first inviting Lubbock Christian inside the Steinke Physical Education Center at 6 p.m. on Friday ahead of a 1 p.m. contest with Eastern New Mexico on Saturday.

The Javelinas (11-8, 3-3 LSC) enter the week tied for 10th in the LSC after falling to DBU and UT Tyler in a pair of road matchups last time out. TAMUK now looks to bounce back at the SPEC while remaining unbeaten on their home court.

TAMUK continues to lead the LSC in digs per set at 19.13 and ranks second in total kills with 939. The reigning LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Nicole Murff, has been integral in the team's successes, with the senior sitting 10th nationally with 5.49 digs-per-set. Offensively, junior Jackie Alanis and sophomore Ayanna Jackson have provided firepower, with Alanis pacing the squad with 246 kills, while Jackson boasts 217 at a .363 percent clip that leads the conference. Additionally, the Javs have the third most assists in the league, as the tandem of sophomore Sydney Whitmire and freshman Elisa Carli have teamed up to dish out 870 helpers.

The Lady Chaps (9-12, 5-5 LSC) sit seventh in the LSC and, despite a .500 winning percentage in conference play, have struggled on the road going 1-5 away from the Rip Griffin Center. LCU was busy last week, first besting Texas Woman's in five sets before falling to Anglo State and sweeping UT Permian Basin to close the weekend. Playing a vital role for the Lady Chaps on the year, Kayton Genenbacher ranks 14th nationally in total assists with 779, a figure that leads the LSC. The Lady Chaps also boast one of the league's best defensive players in Sage Chain, who sits 25 in all of DII with 81 total blocks.

The Greyhounds (12-10, 3-7 LSC) have sputtered since league play began after logging a 7-2 record in neutral site tournament matchups. The Javs and Hounds last met on Sep. 10, when TAMUK narrowly fell to ENMU in five sets. The Greyhounds have been the best defensive team in the LSC thus far, as they hold opponents to a .128 hitting percentage and rank ninth nationally with 1,437 digs. They also top the league in kills and assists while ranking second in aces and blocks. Gracelyn Sttubbs packs an offensive and defensive punch as she averages 0.83 blocks per set and has logged 196 kills at a .341 clip. Nobody on the Hounds has more kills than Mikaela Garvin, who's posted 235 on the year while averaging 3.13 per set.

Fans can keep up with Javelina Volleyball all week long via Javelinaathletics.com, where they'll find links to live videos, stats, and a recap at the end of each match. 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.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Nicole Murff: DS; 5' 7"; Junior

#5 Ayanna Jackson: MB; 5' 9"; Freshman

#8 Jackie Alanis: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#4 Sydney Whitmire: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#12 Elisa Carli: S; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#6 Nicole Murff
: 5' 7"; Junior
: DS

#5 Ayanna Jackson
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: MB

#8 Jackie Alanis
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#4 Sydney Whitmire
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#12 Elisa Carli
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S