CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – It took five sets, but for the first time in program history, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi emerged victorious over Texas State as the Islanders grinded out a 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 20-25, 15-6, win Tuesday night in the Dugan Wellness Center.
"It was a really good mental effort," said head coach
Steve Greene. "I think physically, both teams were battling and we were making a lot of substitutions back and forth. Texas State is a well-coached team and it's a difficult mental challenge to play with a team that is well-coached like that with a lot of talent and I think our team handled it beautifully."
A stifling defense proved key in the Islanders victory as the Blue and Green racked up 16 blocks, the most in over five years.
Madi Fitzsimmons led the block, tallying seven total rejections. Fellow middle
Morgan Williams added five along with freshman
Erin Mulcahey on an impressive defensive night.
"When you put up a big block like Williams and Fitzsimmons did, it makes it so easy to play defense behind it," said Greene. "It shows with the overall digs by the team. We were able to get a lot of great digs even when we didn't block the ball which makes our transition great and our offense just kind of rolls from there. It's the building block for the way our team wants to play in transition."
With the strong block at the net, the Islanders back row went to work digging up 81 Bobcat attacks.
Kate Klepetka topped the 30-dig plateau for the second consecutive match, finishing with 31 on the night.
Kristyn Nicholson added 18 while
Madison Woods chipped in another 11 for three Islanders to reach double-digits.
OFFENSE CLICKS IN PIVOTAL POINTS
While it was not a awe-inspiring night for the Islanders attack overall, the Blue and Green found its stride when it mattered most.
The Islanders saved their best attacking set for the fifth hitting .375 and not committing an error for the first time this season. In another balanced effort, three different Islanders recorded double-digit kills.
• Williams set a new career-high with 10 kills.
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Brittany Gilpin knocked down 15 for her eighth consecutive match with 10-plus kills.
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Mallory Moran made it back-to-back matches in double-figures with 13 kills.
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Kristyn Nicholson recorded her third double-double with 42 assists and 18 digs.
"Something we've really been trying to build towards in practice is using all of our weapons," said Greene. "We're trying to use all five attackers at the net and it's working. The passing is there which allows us to do that and I thought Kristyn did great setting the ball tonight and spreading the offense around. That fifth set is the first time we've gone without an error this year and hitting .375 is the way to close out a match."
BLOCK-DERS
The 16 total blocks are a staggering total for the Islanders, who have not eclipsed 15 blocks since 2011. A major part of the strong effort was the return of Fitzsimmons, who nabbed a solo rejection and six assists.
"16 blocks is a huge number and seven is a great number for me," said Fitzsimmons. "Mo had five as well so it's awesome that we're coming together and showing what we have. The setters are setting it up, we're calling it out and it's all starting to flow. A block is always a huge point."
Fitzsimmons teammate in the middle, Williams rolled up a career-high five blocks. It was a performance the sophomore was proud to display at the end of the night.
"This was a really big match for me," said Williams. "At practice, blocking is my main goal. Everyday I work on being big and being a presence at the net. The fact that work showed tonight and I was able to help my team means a lot."
THE FINAL NON-CONFERENCE CHALLENGE
The Islanders will look to carry their momentum into the Rice Adidas II Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Houston. The Blue and Green takes on Houston Friday at 11 a.m. before facing Rice and Yale on Saturday.
