HAMMOND, La. – It was not a flawless performance, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took care of business in the Southland opener, sweeping Southeastern Louisiana 26-24, 25-21, 26-24 Thursday night.
12 kills from reigning Southland Player of the Year
Brittany Gilpin paced the Blue and Green in the victory as the Islanders won their 39th consecutive match against Southland foes. Gilpin hit .391 on the outside while
Madeleine Doud added another seven kills and a .350 hitting percentage.
The match turned late in the first set, as a hot-hitting Southeastern Louisiana raced to a 24-18 advantage in the opener. Hitting .400 as a team, the Lions were poised to strike a shocking blow to open the match, but the Islanders had other ideas.
Gilpin knocked down a kill to get the Islanders to 24-19. That's when freshman
Emily Hubacek entered and served the Islanders to a stunning turnaround and a 26-24 victory. Hubacek's tough serving forced five Southeastern errors to help the Islanders flip the script.
In the second set, the Islanders took control early with a 5-0 run sparked by back-to-back blocks. Gilpin and Doud teamed up for the first rejection before Doud jumped with
Madison Green for the second as the Blue and Green rode to a 25-21 victory in the set.
The Islanders hit .323 in the second frame. Gilpin and Green led the way with four kills apiece.
The final frame went back and forth until the late points when Hubacek delivered an ace to stake a 22-19 advantage. Southeastern would rally back though, drawing level at 24-all before Gilpin's 12 and final kill put the Islanders ahead for good.
THE NUMBERS
>>
Madison Woods led all players with 16 digs. The Islanders held a 48-36 advantage in digs on the match.
>> Five different Islanders produced five or more kills, the most balanced attack of the year.
>> The Islanders have now won 39 consecutive matches against Southland opponents.
BIG EASY
The Islanders cross Lake Pontchartrain to face New Orleans on Saturday afternoon. First serve is set for noon with the Privateers.
