AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but were unable to hold off Denver in the finale of the American Campus Classic, falling 3-1.
The Islanders (3-7) stormed out of the gates in the first set, hitting .600 en route to a dominating 25-18 victory. Corpus Christi was unable to replicate the strong offensive showing, however, as Denver held the Islanders to .062 and .100 in the next two sets.
Freshmen
Chloe Thorpe and
Shanice Horn led the Islanders with nine kills apiece, both setting career highs in the loss. Thorpe also led the Blue and Green by hitting .600 in the match, another career best for the rookie.
The back half of the match featured a defensive struggle as the three final sets were all decided by three points or less.
Madison Woods piled up a match high 21 digs while setter
Kristyn Nicholson added 13 and
Camryn Tucker 12.
The Islanders led 22-17 in the third before the Pioneers rallied for a 25-23 victory in the set. The Blue and Green again fell victim to a late surge from Denver in the fourth set where the Islanders led 23-20, but ultimately fell 28-26 to seal the match. Becca Latham recorded a match-best 16 kills to lead Denver in the victory.
INSIDE THE ISLANDERS
>> Six different Islanders recorded five or more kills
>> Freshman middle
Jessi Herbold made her Islander debut
>> The loss marks the first time the Islanders have fell after taking the first set this season
LOOK AHEAD
The Islanders' lone match next week takes the Blue and Green to rival UTRGV for the rematch of the South Texas Showdown. The Islanders claimed the first meeting against the Vaqueros 3-1.
