Laredo - Texas A&M-Kingsville suffered its second Lone Star Conference loss as it fell in a tight five-set match against Texas A&M-International Saturday.
The Javelinas (8-5, 0-2 LSC) brought the match to the fifth set after trailing 2-1 in the match score. However, they could not capitalize on the opportunity as they fell to the Dustdevils (5-6, 2-0 LSC).
The first two sets were both similar stories to each other. In set one, the Dustdevils would jump out to a big lead in the middle of the set before eventually closing it out. In set two, it would be the Javelinas however who, thanks to a
Natalee Rush and
Meghan Stiefer block, would close the set out on a 6-0 run.
Now needing to win two out of three, the Javelinas battled the Dustdevils for a majority of set three before finding themselves with a two-point lead. They could not hold onto that lead however, as a 10-3 run by Texas A&M-International would give them the win in set three.
With their backs against the wall, the Javelinas were in a tightly contested fourth set. Both teams would generate a small lead before seeing it slip away as the other team rallied. Texas A&M-Kingsville would not go quietly however, as they would rip off an 8-2 run led by
Ayanna Jackson to bring the match to the final set.
In set five, the Javelinas would fall behind early on. Whenever they tried to claw back in, the Dustdevils would keep pushing the score further and further out of reach. A late scramble by the Javelinas nearly brought them back into the set, but the Dustdevils would ultimately close it out.
Jackson led the team with 11 kills, Stiefer and Pollard would each add 10 kills as well. Rush and Jackson both finished with seven total blocks.
Elisa Carli would lead the Javelinas with 19 assists and
Isabel Rodriguez tallied 26 digs.
The Javelinas return home Friday, October, to take on UT-Permian Basin at the Steinke Physical Education Center.
