KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team is en route to Chadron, Nebraska, for a Tuesday night clash with Chadron State at 7 p.m., before hosting Texas A&M International on Thursday inside the Steinke Physical Education Center at 6 p.m.
The Javelinas (7-6, 1-1 LSC) enter the week after splitting a pair of Lone Star Conference contests to open league play. First, they fell to TAMIU in four sets despite a solid defensive performance that saw TAMUK hold its opposition to a .136 hitting percentage. Senior Kailey Estrada stood tall in the defeat, recording six blocks, while classmate Nicole Murff logged 30 digs.
On Saturday, the Javelinas took down Western New Mexico in four sets as coach Tanya Allen-Gonzalez won her 200th game at the helm of the program and her 300th across all collegiate athletics. It was a block party in Silver City, N.M., with the team posting 15 blocks, eight of which came courtesy of sophomore Ayanna Jackson, while Estrada managed seven and freshman Madelyn Wallace six. Jackson also led the Javelinas in kills with 16, with sophomore Sydney Whitmire pacing the team in assists with 30 and boasting three service aces.
The Eagles (5-7, 3-1 RMAC) carry a three-game winning streak into the contest, picking up victories over New Mexico Highlands, Black Hills State, and South Dakota School of Mines. One of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's top defensive clubs, CSC ranks inside the top five in blocks per set with 1.93 and digs, averaging 15.24. Nobody on the squad has more blocks than Aiyana Fujiyama, who sits at 0.96 blocks per set and 44 on the season. Additionally, Lexi Hurtado paces the team in kills with 87, while Abby Schaefer leads in digs with 159, and Kelly Breshawna in aces boasting 12.
The Dustdevils (11-3, 2-0 LSC) got the better of the Javs last time out, but TAMUK is primed for revenge as they welcome TAMIU inside the SPEC for their first home contest of the 2022 campaign. The Dustdevils took down WNMU in five sets after topping TAMUK, and while this week's matchup won't count toward the nonconference slate, it will serve as an in-region matchup. Emma Lade has excelled at setting for the Dustdevils and ranks sixth nationally in assists per set at 11.30. Mackenzie Catalina provides the bulk of the kills, with her total of 199 sitting second in the LSC and eighth in the nation.
Fans can keep up with Javelina Volleyball all week long via Javelinaathletics.com, where they'll find links to live video and 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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