CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – 10. That's the number of wins the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team have both in-a-row and at home after seniors Ivy Baresh and Kelsee Felux led an unrelenting Islanders' attack to a 3-1 victory over Abilene Christian Saturday afternoon, 26-24, 25-16, 23-25, 25-17.
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The Islanders (20-4, 8-0) remained undefeated inside of Dugan Wellness Center and now have navigated an entire month without a loss. Baresh and Felux were a big part of the victory knocking down 17 and 16 kills, respectively, to ensure the Islanders stayed perfect in Southland Conference play.
"Those two really stepped up," said head coach Tony Graystone of his veteran outside hitters. "I was really happy for Kelsee because she had been struggling for a couple of matches and she was on it today. Then Ivy was typical Ivy. The things she did today were exactly what we've come to expect of her and she really pulled out a couple of crucial points for us."
While nerve-wracking at times and taking an extra set, the Islanders stayed undefeated in Southland play for another day and hit the midway point at 8-0.
RESILIENCY TESTED
Give credit to ACU, as the Wildcats (4-17, 4-4) came into the Dugan and did something only one other foe has done on the Islanders' home court this season: take a set. The Islanders resiliency on their home court was tested for the first time since Rice took the opening set of that match back on Sept. 15.
The Islanders were more than up to task.
"I'm so proud of our team for bouncing back and showing great resiliency," said the senior Baresh. "We're all confident in our ability to bounce back after tough sets and I'm happy I could be a part of that today."
The resiliency shown by the Islanders, rebounding to roll through the fourth set 25-17, was also noted by their head coach.
"This was a really hard fought match," said Graystone. "ACU played really well. They're a really good side out team and have some different wrinkles to there offense as well. It took us about three-and-a-half sets to get our block going and that was ultimately what closed it out for us. I'm glad this match went the way it did, because we needed to be pushed a bit at home and to see us fight and bounce back after dropping a set was great."
Along with Baresh and Felux, middle blocker Brittany Gilpin also reeled off double-digit kills with 12 on the day.
BARESH BEING BARESH
It was just another "typical Ivy performance" said Graystone of his senior outside hitter's double-double day. Baresh was fantastic Saturday afternoon, but it is exactly what the Islanders have come to expect.
"I felt pretty good about my game today," said Baresh. "I cut the errors down and felt like I was hitting the right shot every time. In the end, I'm just happy to help my team get a win."
• Baresh recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 17 kills and 12 digs.
• The Islanders' go-to attacker floored a match-high 17 kills, her third highest total of the season.
• It was the 10th time in 20 matches this season that Baresh racked up double-digit kills.
BLOCK COMES ALIVE
It took three and a half sets, but the Islanders block came up big in the closing moments. Perhaps none of the Islanders' nine total blocks were bigger that Morgan Carlson's solo effort in the fourth set, which pushed the score to 22-16.
• Four of the Islanders' last six points came off of blocks.
• Carlson stuffed a pair of solo blocks, the first time the junior has ever recorded multiple blocks in a single game.
• After just four blocks through three sets, the Islanders rejected five ACU attacks in the final game.
• The 9.0 total blocks are the most for the Islanders in their eight Southland matches this season.
THE STATS
• Setter Kristyn Nicholson recorded a double-double with 46 assists and 13 digs
• Four Islanders finished the match with double digit digs
• The Islanders held a ninth-straight opponent below a .200 hitting percentage
UP NEXT
The Islanders head to Louisiana for a pair of road matches at McNeese State and Nicholls in the coming week.
