HOUSTON, Texas – Kyndal Payne reached the inevitable, as the star-studded senior became the program leader in career kills after surpassing the magic number of 1,393 with a 19-kill performance in a 3-1 loss at HCU Saturday at Sharp Gym.
Payne needed 16 kills to bypass Brianna Brink's (2011-14) 1,392 career kills to become the new leader in the program's record book, and she did that plus some as her 19-kill day put her career mark at 1,396 with that number to continue to climb with 15 guaranteed matches left in the year. It extends two-time All-American's etch on the program, also sitting second all-time in her career kills per set mark (3.72) and 10th in hitting percentage (.255).
Her historical performance was also supplemented with her seventh double-double of the season and third in a row, adding 15 digs to her stat line to lead the team in both. Her 19 kills and 15 digs both match her season bests.
"Kyndal was a star in all aspects today," said head coach
Steve Greene. "Not only did she attack well, but she did a great job defensively and in serve receive. She has always put so much effort into being the best she can be and also trying to propel her teammates."
Payne was joined in double figure kills by junior
Tori Arrington (13) and senior
Leah Stolfus (12). It is the fourth time this year that all three recorded 10+ kills in a match, but the first time the team lost when it happens.
It is the second match in a row that the Islanders started strong, opening the match with a 1-0 lead following a 25-18 set one victory. It was fueled by a .471 hitting mark in the opening set as the Islanders only made two errors off 34 attempts. However, HCU responded and hit near or above .300 in the next three sets to reverse the score in a 3-1 decision.
A&M-Corpus Christi still holds a 17-8 advantage in the all-time series with HCU. The two will rematch later this season in Corpus Christi on Nov. 14.
"HCU played a really good match defensively and both of their outside hitters had standout performances. We weren't able to sustain our focus and effort to win three sets today. In the first set, we were able to stick with our game plan and our offense was firing on all cylinders, but after that, we allowed too many runs of three or more points to happen and weren't able to get back in control. We are looking forward to improving and focusing on consistency so we can showcase our talents next week at home in the Dugan Wellness Center," said Greene.
The Islanders will look forward, hoping to shake the slow start with a break in the conference slate to play the official nonconference finale at Prairie View A&M next Thursday. They will then finally return home after a month-long road trip to welcome Lamar Saturday, Oct. 5 to continue SLC play.
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