NATCHITOCHES, La. – Relying on huge offensive and defensive numbers, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team managed to escape Northwestern State with a 3-2 thrilling win Thursday night in Prather Coliseum.
After dropping the first set just 25-23, the Islanders (10-8, 5-1 SLC) responded with a dominate second set 25-13 off a .464 hitting to even the match. Northwestern State (8-10, 4-3 SLC) took another lead in the match after gritting out a marathon third set 34-32 before A&M-Corpus Christi knotted it up once again after taking the fourth 25-19. With a .474 hitting clip in the fifth, the Islanders ended on top 15-11 for the match win.
A&M-Corpus Christi was able to outlast the Lady Demons in the grueling five setter after turning in 106 digs, 80 kills, and 76 assists for 90.0 points, all six or less shy of breaking each program record in a five-set match. It was the first time the Islanders scored 90 points in a match since 2016.
"What an awesome team win," said head coach
Steve Greene. "Northwestern State did really well changing things all match which really presented challenges for us. I'm so proud of how we adapted and overcame stresses.
"The leadership from our whole team and specifically our captains came out in sets four and five. It's so impressive to see our student-athletes step up in challenging situations and lead and control the outcome. I couldn't be more proud and happy for this team right now."
Graduate
Belle Morgan assisted on 64 of the team's kills, her career best, to run the offense to a .296 hitting efficiency. She has continued to be the match leader in assists in every conference match this year.
"Belle led us," said Greene. "She put us in a position to win each set and she made sure we won sets four and five."
In addition, junior
Kyndal Payne turned in her first 20-20 stat line in her career with 21 kills and 22 digs, the latter being a career high. Payne has recorded 21 kills in three of the last four matches, two of which have been double-doubles.
Junior Kayle White also recorded a career high with 30 digs. Junior
Leah Stolfus led the match with 23 kills, two shy of her career best which was set last season against the Lady Demons.
"Kayla,
Kyndal Payne and
Kendall Mahaney were doing anything and everything to make our defense function at the highest level. Leah was unbelievable tonight. She scored on all different tempos and all different locations along the net. She was a step ahead of everyone and showcased how much her mental game has evolved," said Greene.
Two more Islanders hit in double figures as sophomore
Rylee Achtzehn converted on 13 of her 29 attempts (.345) while junior
Morgan Baese got in on the action with 11 kills. It marks Baese's third straight match to tally at least 10 kills.
Sophomore
Tayah Little aided the attack with five kills, as well as defending at the net with five blocks to lead the team. Sophomore
Kendall Mahaney helped cover the floor for 15 digs as the third Islander to record over 10 digs. She led the team with two service aces.
The Islanders have yet to drop a road conference match this year, improving to 5-1 in SLC play.
Three of the last four matches between the two teams have gone to five sets, with the Islanders winning two of them to now pull ahead in the all-time record with Northwestern State 13-12. They will look to complete the season sweep over the Lady Demons when they host the second meeting on Nov. 9.
Before then, A&M-Corpus Christi will close out the road trip at Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday. First serve is set for 2 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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@islandersvb) and like their Facebook page (
Islanders Volleyball).
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