EAST LANSING, Mich. – In its best offensive performance of the young season, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi attack hit .333, led by a double-double from
Brittany Gilpin to sweep Marshall 25-18, 25-20, 25-18 Saturday morning.
In what has become a regular occurrence for Gilpin during her time in the Blue and Green, the senior produced her third double-double of the season with 13 kills and 13 digs to lead the Islanders in the dominating effort. Along with Gilpin, freshman
Chloe Simon finished the morning in double-figures with a dozen kills to her credit.
A tight first set was broken open when Corpus Christi (2-3) went on a 4-0 run to break a 12-12 deadlock. A pair of kills from
Madison Green punctuated the stretch to give the Blue and Green breathing room. Green was one of three Islanders with all least three kills in the opening set as Simon and
Kristyn Nicholson also helped power an attack that hit .364 in the opening set.
A quick start to the second set staked the Blue and Green to a 6-2 lead as Gilpin came alive. Gilpin and Simon each knocked down six kills in the second set. The sensational performance from the outsides helped the Islander attack hit .385 in the set.
ACED AWAY
The third set turned at the service line as Marshall built an early 6-4 lead in the frame, but
Madison Woods served the Islanders to a 7-0 run, including a trio of aces to place the Blue and Green in total control.
The three aces match a career best for Woods, who last produced three in November 2015 against Lamar.
MISS DOUBLE-DOUBLE
One of the most prolific six-rotation players in Islander history, Gilpin's third double-double of the season marks her 18th such performance since moving to the outside last season.
Saturday morning also marked the fifth consecutive match with at least 10 kills for Gilpin to open the season. Dating back to last season, the senior has recorded double-digit kills in 21 of the past 22 matches for the Islanders.
INSIDE THE ISLANDERS
>> The .333 hitting percentage marks a new high for the Islanders this season.
>> Freshman
Chloe Thorpe set a new best with five kills in the middle. She also added a solo block and pair of block assists.
>>
Madison Woods led the team with 14 digs to help hold Marshall to a .179 attack percentage.
>> Simon's 12 kills marked the second time in double-digits for the freshman. She is currently hitting .351 on the year.
NIGHTCAP IN SPARTA
The Islanders face No. 23 Michigan State in the final of the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational at 6:30 p.m. this evening.
