Corpus Christi – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team capped a perfect weekend at the Comfort Suites Islanders Classic with victories over Texas Southern and UT-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday afternoon. The Islanders swept each match through a combination of great defensive play and offensive power. The wins on Saturday grow head coach Tony Graystone's record as the Islanders leader to 102 career wins, after reaching the century mark on Friday night against UTRGV.
Texas Southern
A&M-Corpus Christi improved its record against Texas Southern to 18-0 with a 3-0 victory (25-13, 25-23, 25-11). The Tigers entered the Dugan Wellness Center with renewed energy, after falling in the morning match to UTRGV 3-0. Morgan Carlson hit .429 for the Islanders and led the team with 11 kills in the match.
Both teams traded points early in game one, until the Islanders opened a five-point lead at 10-5. Following a three-point run by the Tigers, Kelsee Felux, Kirstee McGarva and Carlson added kills to a 15-6 run for the Islanders, which give the hosts the first set victory.
Game two created the closest set of the tournament. The Tigers took the lead at 6-5, but were unable to pull away until a five-point run forced Graystone to call a timeout at 21-16. Kristyn Nicholson responded for A&M-Corpus Christi with two kills, that added to points from a Morgan Williams and Felux block and a Carlson kill as a part of 9-2 Islanders run to finish the second set.
The Islanders used a fast start in game three to establish control with a seven-point lead at 11-4. Several freshmen contributed to the ensuing 14-7 run for A&M-Corpus Christi. Libby Vickers picked up a service ace after a Texas Southern timeout. Kills from Mallory Moran and Hannah van Warmerdam set up match point from the serve of Madison Woods. The San Antonio, Texas, native found the back right corner for the service ace and the final point of the match to give the Islanders the sweep.
Van Warmerdam had nine kills from .571 hitting, while McGarva equaled the Winton, Calif., native in kills with her .429 hitting percentage.
UTRGV
The nightcap of the Comfort Suites Islanders Classic set up the third and final matchup of the season between the Islanders and the Vaqueros. A&M-Corpus Christi dominated the match behind the offense of Felux, Brittany Gilpin and Ivy Baresh, who all reached double digits in kills.
Gilpin picked up two kills, as the Islanders opened an early lead in game one. A kill by Felux at 10-7 started a 10-5 run for A&M-Corpus Christi, which created enough separation to set up the first set victory.
In game two, the Islanders used a 10-3 run, propelled by kills from Carlson and Baresh, to establish a 10-point lead at 20-10. Baresh set up game point with one of her 10 kills in the match.
A&M-Corpus Christi controlled game three from the first serve. Madeleine Doud and Carlson provided kills for the Islanders to extend the lead to 14-9, after the Vaqueros pulled within three points. A nine-point run from the Islanders ensured a perfect weekend at home in the tournament.
Felux led all players 13 kills, Gilpin followed with 12 kills of her own. Kate Klepetka had another impressive weekend for the Islanders and added 27 kills against the Vaqueros.
All-Tournament Team
Klepetka was named MVP of the Comfort Suites Islanders Classic for her defensive ability for the Islanders all weekend. The Allen, Texas, native had 82 digs for A&M-Corpus Christi in the tournament. She was joined on the all-tournament by teammates Gilpin, Carlson and Kelsee Felux.
UTRGV's Bojana Mitrovic had a tournament-high 14 kills on Friday, as she and teammate Alisha Watson made the tournament team. Kali Fluke from Texas Southern led the Tigers offensively to her spot on the team.
Up Next For The Islanders
A&M-Corpus Christi will welcome Rice to the Dugan Wellness Center on Tuesday at 6:30 P.M. The match will be the first T-shirt Tuesday of the season sponsored by Midtown University Living. The Owls will come to the Coastal Bend with a 7-2 record, after defeating Sam Houston State earlier today.
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.
