CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Get hot at the right time. That is exactly what Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball is doing as the Islanders earned a fourth consecutive sweep, downing Sam Houston State 25-18, 25-21, 27-25 to move into a tie for third in the Southland.
Brittany Gilpin and
Madison Green led the Islanders (13-13, 10-5) as they have so many times this season, both producing double-doubles in the sweep of the Bearkats presented by Domino's Pizza. Gilpin racked up 12 kills to lead the Islanders and piled up 17 digs. Green, meanwhile, hit .526 with 10 kills and 10 digs.
On Thursday, the Islanders hit .305 to mark their second best performance of the Southland season while stifling Sam Houston State to just .168 in attack. The strong defensive effort marks the fourth consecutive game the Blue and Green has held an opponent below .200 hitting.
LIGHTNING START
Corpus Christi asserted itself right from the start on Thursday as the Islanders stormed to a 25-18 first set.
The Islanders hit a blistering .448 as a team, knocking down 14 kills while committing just a single error. On the flip side, Corpus Christi limited Sam Houston State to a meager .083 hitting percentage, forcing nine Bearkat errors.
With a 14-13 lead midway through the set, the Islanders reeled off a 6-0 run to establish a 20-13 edge. Gilpin had two of her set-leading four kills in the run.
SECOND SET STRENGTH
The Islanders doubled down on the quick start with an 11-3 opening of the second set. The Blue and Green were hitting .875 to that point of the frame.
The block proved big in the second as well, as the Islanders rejected four Sam Houston State attacks.
Madi Fitzsimmons earned a solo stuff and a pair of block assists in the frame. Gilpin added another pair of block assists in the set.
DIGS, DIGS, DIGS
Three Islanders scooped up double-digit digs in the victory.
Madison Woods led the way with an eye-popping 22 digs, averaging better than seven per set. Woods had just two digs in the opening set, but capped the night with a massive 13 digs in the final set.
Gilpin racked up 17 to produce over five per set, one of her best three-set performances defensively. Green rounded out the trio in double-digits with 10.
REGULAR SEASON FINALE
The Islanders conclude the regular season Saturday afternoon as they host Abilene Christian in a 12 p.m. first serve. 150 t-shirts are up for grabs on a first come, first served basis.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will host the Southland Conference Tournament next Friday-Sunday in the Dugan Wellness Center. Tickets are available now on GoIslanders.com.
