KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team headed out to the capital of the Lone Star State, Austin, Texas Wednesday, where they took down the St. Edward's Hilltoppers in five sets (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 16-25, 15-11).
The Javelinas (15-6, 7-2 LSC) came into Wednesday hot off a four-game streak besting the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds in four sets the last time out.
"Though we struggled at times tonight," said head coach
Tanya Allen-Gonzalez, "I'm proud of my team for finding a way to win."
The Javelinas took the Hilltoppers down in five full sets hitting a .295 with nine aces and 11 blocks on the day. St. Edwards hit a .217 with 12 blocks on the day and 13 service aces to their line. Javelina Junior outside hitter
Ayanna Jackson once again not letting the road phase her as she left the night with 16, kills and a .481 hitting percentage also having a solo block and seven block assists. The Javelinas were serving it up all night as five players had aces including Senior outside hitter
Jackie Alanis with three,
Ryland Pollard and
Isabel Neu with two, along with
Samantha Estrada and
Elisa Carli with one.
Set one began with each squad keeping it close until the Javelinas went on an 8-2 run making it an 11-6 score. The Hilltoppers, going on runs of their own, kept it close but were frequently denied by the Javelinas limiting the largest run to 4-0. With no
further lead changes, the Javelinas, having hit a .357 with four blocks in the set cruised to a 25-19 set one.
In set two, both squads kept it close trading blows until the 7-7 mark where the Javelinas went on an 11-4 run seemingly taking control of the set and leaving the score at 18-11. The Hilltoppers however, after a much-needed timeout came down the stretch with a 14-5 run closing out set two 25-23.
The third set was the most tightly contested set of the night, having 11 total ties and three lead changes. Going score for score throughout, it was not until the end of the set that saw the 4-1 Javelina run that was the dagger ending the battle that was set three 25-23.
Set four saw the hilltoppers out front early with a 5-2 lead before going on an 8-0 run making it a 13-2 set before
Madelyn Wallace got the scoring going again for the blue and gold. The Javelinas putting up small runs of their own, however it was the hilltoppers the ones denying the Javelinas this time as they limited each run eventually taking the set 25-16.
The fifth and final set was all Javelinas to start. Three
Ayanna Jackson kills, two aces from Sophomore right side hitter
Rylan Pollard, and a defensive St. Edwards error led to a 6-0 lead right out the gate. SEU playing catchup most of the fifth, got the set to an 11-10 score threatening to go on a run, before the Javelinas ended the match with a 4-1 run of their own.
The Javelinas are back at home next time out playing Friday October 27
th at the Steinke Physical Education Center for the Pink Out game at 6 PM.
Fans can follow Javelina volleyball all season 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 X, @JavelinaVB and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, liking TAMUK Volleyball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com
