CONWAY, Ark. – After a 2-1 performance at the Central Arkansas Invitational, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team has been crowned tournament champions by way of sweeping Central Arkansas, who also finished 2-1.
In addition to winning the title, the Islanders also boast the tournament's most valuable player as senior Ivy Baresh picked up the top honor following an impressive three matches in Arkansas. Baresh rolled up 45 kills in her 11 sets of action at the tournament, including matching her career-high with 21 kills versus Louisiana Tech. The outside hitter finished the invitational hitting at a .270 clip and averaging 4.1 kills per set, both above her season marks.
Joining Baresh on the All-Tournament team were Kristyn Nicholson and Brittany Gilpin. The pair of sophomores each had impressive ends to their weeks as Nicholson continued to rack up assists and Gilpin proved a major force on the block.
Nicholson finished the tournament with 128 assists, 54 of which came in the finale against Alabama State. The 54 helpers were the second-most assists the setter has recorded in her two years with the Islanders.
Meanwhile, Gilpin took her game at the net to new heights. The middle blocker recorded three solo blocks, a total one shy of her entire freshman campaign. All told, Gilpin was in on 12 blocks while making her presence felt on the attack as well by landing 24 kills.
The Islanders return to Dugan Wellness Center Tuesday night to begin a three-match homestand by welcoming Prairie View to campus.
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.
