LAKE CHARLES, La. – Completing the season sweep over McNeese, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team topped the Cowgirls 3-1 at the Legacy Center for its eighth straight win and to remain undefeated on the road in conference play.
Despite dropping a narrow 26-24 decision in the first set, the Islanders (14-8, 9-1 SLC) regrouped to win the next three straight 25-21, 25-22, and 25-23 to top the Cowgirls (9-14, 7-3 SLC). It completed the season sweep for A&M-Corpus Christi who beat McNeese 3-0 in the first meeting of the season.
"McNeese played really well both offensively and defensively tonight," said head coach
Steve Greene. "I'm really proud of how we handled the ups and downs of a tough road match."
A&M-Corpus Christi edged the Cowgirls 61-60 in kills as three Islanders shot in double figures. Junior
Kyndal Payne led the match with 17 kills in addition to picking up 13 digs for her fourth double-double in conference play. Junior
Leah Stolfus followed with 11 kills.
Graduate setter
Belle Morgan added 10 kills herself in addition to her 39 assists for her third double-double of the year. She was one dig shy of the triple-double.
Junior
Morgan Baese and graduate
Morgan Smith neared double figures with nine and eight kills, respectively. Sophomore
Rylee Achtzehn added five with four coming in the final two sets to help solidify the win.
"Rylee really rose to the challenge at the end of set three and all of set four. It was so awesome to see her do that," Greene said.
Compared to A&M-Corpus Christi's .209 hitting percentage, the defensive end kept McNeese to a .199 mark. Junior
Kayla White covered the floor for 18 digs and was joined in double figures with sophomores
Zoria Heard (16) and
Kendall Mahaney (14). Heard and Mahaney each recorded a pair of service aces on the night.
"Our defense played so well throughout. It was awesome to see everyone's desire to dig and work hard in transition. Kayla was a tremendous leader on the court and in between plays. She has a great eye for what's going on and when she talks, everyone stops to listen. I love seeing her step into a leadership role," said Greene.
The Islanders will look to stay hot on the road with a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday at Lamar before returning home to host UIW on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Islanders swept both teams earlier this year.
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