HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball sat on the cusp of unseating the only remaining unbeaten team in the Southland, but a tight affair fell in favor of Sam Houston State in 3-2 fashion.
In a wild back and forth contest, the Bearkats (13-9, 9-0) eeked out a pair of sets that needed extra points to hold off the Islanders Saturday afternoon.
Brittany Gilpin led the Islanders and tied for the match high with 20 kills.
Morgan Williams added a season-best 13 kills out of the middle and hit .355 to add to the attack. Freshman
Shanice Horn chipped in another 12 kills and
Kristyn Nicholson 10 to give the Islanders four players in double-figures.
The opening set might have been the difference maker, as the Islanders led 21-17 and reached set point at 24-22, but were unable to close the frame. Three straight errors, one on a Sam Houston State block, gave the Bearkats a 25-24 advantage.
From there, the two sides traded points, each having set point in extras before Sam Houston State claimed a 33-31 frame.
The Islanders clawed back in the second, hitting .364 to earn a 25-22 set to level the match. In the third, the Blue and Green again saw a lead slip away as a 17-14 advantage was erased by Sam Houston State.
Needing the fourth set to stay alie, the Islanders hit .306 with just three errors en route to a 25-20 marker. Tied at 2-2, the Islanders headed to their third consecutive five-setter.
In the fifth, the Islanders built an early advantage at 5-2. The Islanders would maintain the lead to 8-5 at the turn. A pair of aces from Sam Houston State, one off the tape would ultimately turn the tide as that drew the Bearkats even.
Down 14-12, the Islanders managed to get back-to-back points as Williams drew the Islanders level at 14-all. The Blue and Green would earn match point at 15-14, but a service error and a Bearkat block turned the advantage to Sam Houston. The Bearkats would earn the victory with a 17-15 frame.
OF NOTE
>> Freshman defensive specialist
Camryn Tucker filled the libero role in the absence of
Madison Woods and put forth a career day. Tucker piled up a match best and career-high 28 digs.
>> Nicholson racked up 60 assists in the loss and added 13 digs for a triple-double.
>> Gilpin added 17 digs to her 20 kills for another double-double.
UP NEXT
The Islanders aim to right the ship on Thursday night as they welcome Houston Baptist to the Dugan Wellness Center.
