Fifth-Set Fireworks

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the second time against one of the Southland Conference frontrunners, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi suffered fifth-set heartbreak, falling to Stephen F. Austin 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 17-25, 13-15, Saturday afternoon in the Dugan Wellness Center.
 
Sophomore Madison Green produced a career-high 21 kills and 13 digs in a massive performance just two days after exiting the Lamar match with an ankle injury. Green appeared no worse for wear with a .359 hitting percentage off the 21 kills which were a match high.
 
Brittany Gilpin added another 19 kills and hit a match-leading .447 to balance the Islander attack at the other pin.
 
Stephen F. Austin answered with a balanced attack of its own as four Ladyjacks produced double-digit kills. Haley Coleman led SFA with 16 while Danae Daron added another 14 to the winning effort.
 
The Islanders seemed in control in the opening set, building a 19-16 lead behind a red-hot attack. SFA, however, had an answer as an ace sparked 4-0 run to give the 'Jacks a 20-19 advantage. The Islanders would get back within one at 24-23, but Daron provided the final kill for the set.
 
Corpus Christi rallied right back, opening a 19-13 lead in the second and cruised to a 25-22 victory. Green produced eight kills on 10 swings to lead an Islander attack that hit .359 in the frame.
 
Out of the break, the Islanders once again controlled play, limiting SFA to just .196 hitting en route to a 25-23 third set. In a seesaw affair, SFA struck back with its best offensive set of the match, hitting .438 to claim a 25-17 fourth, forcing a decisive race to 15.
 
In the fifth set, a 7-1 hole buried the Islanders, who nearly climbed out of it twice, but ultimately fell two points short.
 
THE NUMBERS
 
>> Madeleine Doud added nine kills and a pair of solo blocks to the Islanders' effort.
>> Four Islanders recorded double-digit digs, including Gilpin, Green and Kristyn Nicholson who all produced double-doubles.
>> Madison Woods led the match with 23 digs in the match.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Islanders hit the road to take on Abilene Christian and Sam Houston State next Thursday and Saturday.