Conoway, AR. - Texas A&M-Kingsville tied a program record 20 wins with a 2-0 day at the UCA Invitational on Friday.
The Javelinas (20-10) reached the 20 win mark for the first time since the 2018 season, when the Javelinas would win the American Volleyball Coaches Association Small College National Championship. Tomorrow the Hogs will have a chance to set a new program record in wins with matches against Hendrix and UT-Martin.
To get to that mark, the Javelinas powered through day one of the UCA Invitational, winning both their matches against the aforementioned Warriors and host school Central Arkansas. The pair of wins marks the second time that Javelinas have bested Hendrix and the sixth time the Javelina have beaten a Division I school this season with a win over the Bears.
Match one vs Hendrix College:
The first match for the Javelinas marked their seventh 5-0 sweep of the season and their second consecutive sweep over the Warriors.
Meghan Stiefer and
Emma Daugherty earned a 21-13, 21-9 win in the four's flight while
Kendall Harrington and
Kalani Vasquez went to three sets, winning 9-21, 21-13, 16-14.
Round two featured more dominance from the Javelinas.
Clara Presmanes-Garate and
Elizabeth Williams won 21-12, 21-8,
Taylor McCarthy and
Laura Betsa took care of business with a 21-14, 21-8 win with
Rylan Pollard and
Liana Huesca completing the sweep with a 26-24, 21-19 win.
Match two vs Central Arkansas:
Match two featured much more drama for the Javelinas as flight one was an even 1-1 split. Stiefer and Daugherty were able to grind out a three set win, taking home a 13-21, 21-13, 15-6 win.
Heading over to the second flight, all three matches would go to three sets in a dramatic finish to the day. McCarthy and Betsa got the first win on the board for the Hogs in round two, finishing with a 15-21, 21-13, 16-14 win. The Bears evened it up in the five's flight however, leaving just the one's to decide the match. It would be the Javelinas who came out on top, and Pollard and Huesca powered their way to a 19-21, 21-6, 15-9 victory and sealed the match for the Hogs.
Day two of the UCA Invitational kicks off for the Javelinas at 10:00 am, as the Javelinas are set for a rematch against the Hendrix Warriors.
