Corpus Christi – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team (6-3) opened the 2015 Comfort Suites Islanders Classic with two sweeps against UT-Rio Grande Valley and Texas Southern on Friday night at the Dugan Wellness Center. Morgan Carlson led the Islanders offensively in the first match with 10 kills, and Ivy Baresh picked up 14 kills against the Tigers in the evening matchup.
UTRGV
The Islanders faced the Vaqueros for the second time this season, after a 3-1 victory at UTRGV on Sept. 1. Head coach Tony Graystone's squad did not repeat their slow start from their previous match against Vaqueros, finishing each set strongly to win 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-17).
Playing in the first match of the season at the Dugan Wellness Center, the Islanders traded points early in game one with the Vaqueros. The Islanders would break open a seven-point lead with a 7-2 run and kills from Kelsee Felux, Madeleine Doud and Baresh.
The Vaqueros would battle back with a five-point run of their own to reduce the deficit to two points at 18-16. Kate Klepetka provided a spark for with her serve late in game one. Two aces from the Allen, Texas, native, along with kills from Baresh and Brittany Gilpin, gave the Islanders the victory.
In game two, neither team was able to create enough separation to control the set. Baresh and Felux each provided a kill and Morgan Carlson added a block, as a part of a 7-2 run for the Islanders that would secure game two for the hosts.
A&M-Corpus Christi started game three with an 8-3 run that established an insurmountable lead in favor of the Islanders. The Vaqueros would come within three points on several occasions, but the attack of Carlson and Gilpin sparked runs from the Islanders to maintain the lead.
Texas Southern
In the second match of the day, the Islanders faced the Tigers for the first time since 2010. A&M-Corpus Christi maintained its perfect 18-0 record against Texas Southern with a 3-0 win (25-13, 25-14, 25-22).
The Islanders established an early four-point lead at 10-6 in game one, before eight-straight points propelled A&M-Corpus Christi to a 12-point lead. Gilpin provided two service aces and Baresh picked up three kills as a part of the run.
Game two began with another fast start for the Islanders created a five-point lead with the score at 8-3. A&M-Corpus Christi pulled away with an 8-3 run. Baresh and Kristyn Nicholson added kills for the Islanders in the late stages of the set.
After A&M-Corpus Christi opened a five-point lead at 19-14 in game three, Texas Southern tied the game at 19-19, as the Islanders committed three of their eight errors in the set during that run. Baresh would provide two pivotal kills that sparked the Islanders rally to set and match point.
Comfort Suites Islanders Classic
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will each team again tomorrow afternoon, with the match against Texas Southern scheduled for 2 P.M. and 6 P.M. start for the UTRGV contest. The Tigers and the Vaqueros will play in the opening match of the day at 11 A.M.
For more information on the Islanders volleyball team throughout the season, check them out on Twitter (@IslandersVB) and on their Facebook page (Islanders Volleyball), and download the official Islanders Front Row app for scores, updates, live stats and live video of all Islanders events.
