SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team's winning streak came to an end Saturday, falling 3-2 in a tough five-set (23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 9-15) matchup to UIW at the McDermott Center.
It is the Islanders' (14-9, 9-3 SLC) first loss in 10 matches, having previously dropped only three of their last 34 sets played entering the day. UIW (14-7, 7-4 SLC) is the first Southland team to defeat A&M-Corpus Christi since September, and it is the first time since 2000 that the Cardinals bested the Islanders and just the second time ever.
"UIW played an outstanding match and really stepped up their game when we challenged them," said head coach
Steve Greene. "We have been steadily improving our defense over the last several weeks but it wasn't at the level we needed it to be at during critical times today. Sets two and three were great examples of how good we can be when everything clicks and we are in sync. The mental and emotional effort was there but unfortunately, it didn't manifest into the physical plays we needed to score points in sets one and five when we had opportunities."
The Islanders outhit the Cardinals with a .288 hitting percentage, marking it just the second time this year that A&M-Corpus Christi lost despite hitting above .200. They were previously an undefeated 12-0 when recording more kills than their opponent this year, which was also snapped today after falling despite a 75-68 kill advantage.
It is the first time since the 2022 season that the Islanders tallied 70+ kills in a match.
Despite the loss, a lot of other statistical achievements were met which the Islanders haven't seen this year. With 101 digs, it is the first time the Islanders have recorded 100+ digs in a match since Oct. 5, 2023 at Northwestern State (106), which was also the last time an Islander recorded 60+ assists in a match (
Belle Morgan, 64). Graduate
Alex Hoglund came away with 60 today, her new career high.
It also helped her surpass 1,000 career milestones, now up to 1,059 after today. She also recorded her third double-double of the year with 13 digs.
Sophomore
Brooklyn Jaeger registered her new career high of 26 digs. It is her second straight 20+ dig match and she is the first Islander to record 25+ digs in a match since senior
Kayla White picked up 25 last season at HCU (Sept. 28).
Hoglund and Jaeger were two of five Islanders in double figures defensively as senior
Kendall Mahaney also picked up 20+ with her season-high 23. Senior
Kyndal Payne recorded 17 and senior
Kayla White came away with 10.
Today is also the first time since that match at Northwestern State last season that the Islanders had a player with 20+ kills in a match after senior
Kyndal Payne led today with 21 kills, which ironically matches the last occurrence as it was Payne with 21 kills against the Lady Demons. It marks her 13
th double-double of the season. Senior
Leah Stolfus recorded 18 kills while senior
Rylee Achtzehn tallied 14 today.
The Islanders will push ahead, staying on the road for their next two matches to face Southeastern Thursday and New Orleans next Saturday.
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