KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville beach volleyball team is set to close out the regular season with a pair of duals against Colorado Mesa on the docket for Friday, ahead of a Pairs Tournament on Saturday. Competition in Grand Junction, Colorado, will get started at 1 p.m. C.T., with the second match slated for 3 p.m. C.T. 
 
The Javelinas (9-13) will battle the Mavericks (12-7), who are the reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association Small College NCAA Division II National Champions, in preparation for this year's AVCA National Tournament, which begins on Friday, April 14 in Tavares, Florida. 
 
Last time out, TAMUK traveled to nearby Corpus Christi, Texas, to participate in the Conni & Jay Wise Islander Classic, where they picked up a 3-2 victory over NCAA Division I opponent Houston Christian. 
 
The No. 3 combo of junior Grace Gettys and freshman Olivia Zeigler continues to be the Javelinas' best, as they are now 14-8 on the year and ranked No. 19 in the nation. The No. 4 tandem of newcomers Meghan Stiefer and Kalani Vasquez has also put together a strong campaign going 11-7. Additionally, after junior Jackie Alanis and freshman Taylor McCarthy snagged points against HCU and Stephen F. Austin, the Javelinas now are an even .500 out of the fifth flight. 
 
CMU last split at the Wildcat Spring Challenge in Tucson, Arizona picking up wins over Missouri State and UTEP at Bear Down Beach before faltering against Santa Clara and No. 18 Arizona. All five flights hold positive records, with their second, third, and fourth pairs all going 13-6. The Mavs have also gone undefeated at home, thanks to two sweeps over Trinidad State Junior College.
 
Historically, the Javelinas have gotten the better of the Mavericks, with TAMUK picking up wins in each of the first three meetings. CMU, however, got the better of the Javs at last year's national tournament, recording a sweep en route to the title. 
 
Saturday's Pairs Tournament will feature a round-robin pool play ahead of a single elimination bracket, with all the action starting at 11 p.m. C.T. 
 
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