Oct. 19, 2011
Final Stats
Laredo, Texas - Tuesday night the Texas A&M International University volleyball team once again proved they are a forced to be reckoned with, nearly upsetting non-conference opponent Texas A&M Kingsville in front of the largest home crowd of the season. The Dustdevils played an inspired match pushing the Javelinas to five games, but ultimately fell 25-18, 17-25, 25-18, 24-26, 10-15.
"We are beyond moral victories," said Head Coach Al Givens, "getting close doesn't satisfy us and doesn't accomplish our goals. It's a little disappointing that we weren't able to close out the match in the fourth set when we were up 23-22, but overall I'm still very proud of my girls for battling the way they did. We now have five conference matches remaining and we need to finish at least 4-1, just like we did in the first round."
The Dustdevils, who hadn't played in front of their home crowd in three weeks, looked to have an extra spring in their step from the onset of the match. TAMIU broke a 5-5 tie with an 8-2 run in the opening set, taking a 13-7 lead and never looking back. Miranda Pratt (Sophomore, North Bend, WS) and Andrea Marshall (Junior, Clinton, AZ) combined for nine kills as TAMIU took the first set 25-18.
The two teams battled to an 11-11 tie in the second frame, but the Javelinas gained a 23-15 advantage after a 12-4 run. The home team did their best to fight their way back in, but would come up short losing 17-25.
Andrea Marshall led the way in the third set with five kills as TAMIU would get the win 25-18. The game was tied at 7, before the Dustdevil defense sparked a 7-2 run forcing the Javelinas into 6 consecutive errors. Daria Winckler (Junior, Zillah, WS) closed the set with a 4-0 service run, with kills by Marshall and Tamara da Silva (Senior, Porto Alegre, Brazil).
In the fourth set, A&M Kingsville broke a 6-6 tie with a 9-3 run taking a 15-9 lead. Led by Marshall and da Silva, TAMIU fought their way back to a 19-19 tie and took a 23-22 lead after an attack error by the Javelinas. With momentum in the Dustdevils favor, A&M Kingsville rallied to close the set with a 4-1 run winning 26-24, forcing a fifth and final game.
The final set was back in forth in the early going with TAMIU trailing 8-9 halfway through. The Javelinas would close out the match on a 6-2 run taking the fifth set 15-10.
Andrea Marshall finished with a game high 18 kills followed by Alex Ciszek (Frehsman, San Juan Capistrano, CA) with 14. Marshall and Ciszek each picked up double-doubles adding 11 and 16 digs respectively. Setter Daria Winckler had a game high 50 assists while Libero Desiree Ortiz (Sophomore, San Antonio, TX) tallied 23 digs. Making her return to the court, senior Tamara da Silva threw down eight kills and picked up six digs.
The Dustdevils return to conference play Thursday, October 19th hosting Arkansas-Fort Smith at 7 p.m.
