Boise, Idaho – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team (4-3) dropped two matches on Saturday at the Boise State Invitational hosted by Boise State, after falling to the hosts in Friday's match. The Islanders played a doubleheader that started with a match against Northwestern, before finishing the tournament versus Idaho State less than an hour after the final point against the Wildcats.
"We knew it was going to be a tough weekend, but overall, I'm very happy," head coach Tony Graystone said after the doubleheader. "Our defense and block was very good. Offensively, we more than held our own. There's a lot to be excited about with this group, and I can't wait for us to play at the Dugan next weekend in front of our home crowd."
Northwestern
In the first match of the day, the Islanders faced the strong attack from Northwestern's Symone Abbot, who picked up a match-high 24 kills, as A&M-Corpus Christi lost to the Wildcats 3-1 (23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 18-25).
After an early run by the Wildcats, the Islanders leveled the first set at 10-10 with a kill by Kelsee Felux and a service ace from Kristyn Nicholson. Ivy Baresh and Felux then picked up back-to-back kills to extend the A&M-Corpus Christi lead to four at 18-14. However, the Wildcats would go on an 11-5 run that would give the set to Northwestern.
Morgan Carlson, Brittany Gilpin and Baresh provided kills in the early stages of set two to give the Islanders an 8-4 lead. Carlson and Gilpin provided points for A&M-Corpus Christi as a part of a four-point run to make the score 15-10, but Northwestern rallied with a four-point run of their own. The Islanders would see their 20-18 lead vanish through a 5-2 run from the Wildcats.
In set three, Northwestern extended an early lead to six at 14-8, before Carlson cut the deficit with two straight kills. The Islanders went on a five-point run to level the set at 17-17. Haley King provided a service ace in an Islander three-point run that secured the game for A&M-Corpus Christi.
Northwestern jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in set four, before increasing their lead to 10-4. The Islanders pulled within three (10-7), but the Wildcats then extended their lead out of reach with a 7-0 stretch.
Carlson and Gilpin lead the Islanders with 5 block assists. Gilpin, Carlson and Baresh finished the match with nine kills each. Kate Klepetka picked up 28 digs against the Wildcats.
Idaho State
A&M-Corpus Christi had a quick turnaround before they faced Idaho State, with forty minutes elapsing between the two games, eventually dropping the match in three sets (25-22, 27-25, 25-15).
The Islanders opened game one with error-free volleyball through their 16th point. Idaho State battled back from a five-point deficit to tie the game at 18-18. A quick two-point run for the Bengals at 21-20 provided enough separation to win set one.
Game two started with strong offensive play from the Bengals, opening a six-point lead at 10-4. The Islanders' offense responded with a six-point run to even the game, with kills from Kirstee McGarva and Gilpin. Idaho State opened small lead, before Gilpin and McGarva scored for the Islanders to bring the score to 22-22, but the Bengals used two straight points to win the game, when the score was tied at 25-25.
A&M-Corpus Christi remained within striking distance in game three before the Bengals opened up an insurmountable lead with a 10-5 run. Kills from Madeleine Doud, Hannah van Warmerdam and Gilpin were not enough to spark an Islanders' rally.
Gilpin led the Islanders with 13 kills, followed by Carlson with 10. Nicholson added 33 assists to her three kills and nine digs.
Comfort Suites Islanders Classic
Next Friday marks the home opener for the Islanders, as they compete in the Comfort Suites Islanders Classic at the Dugan Wellness Center. A&M-Corpus Christi will play four out of the five matches in the tournament against Texas Southern and UT-Rio Grande Valley. The Islanders play the Vaqueros on Friday at 3 P.M. and Saturday at 6 P.M. Contests against the Tigers will be on Friday at 7 P.M. and Saturday at 2 P.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.
