Court chemisty Leads to Victory

On Friday, the Javelina Volleyball team (15-11, 7-8 LSC) fell short to the Lions of Texas A&M University-Commerce (20-5, 12-3 LSC) at Physical Education Center totaling a 3-1 match. The Javelinas were held until the fourth set in the match against the Lions. It was a neck-to-neck battle at the start of the match, but the Javelinas fell short 25-21. The big blue and gold came back in an all-out battle and won the second set, 26-24. In the third set, the Javelinas lost tempo and came up short the rest of the match. The final set of scores was 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 and 25-19. Game leaders for the Javelinas were Madison Brabham, Talleyshia Morris, Kailey Estrada, Loren Washington and Emily North who racked up 33 kills, 49 assists and 33 digs. On Saturday, at the Steinke Physical Education Center, the Javelinas bounced right back into beast mode and sent the Texas Woman’s Pioneers back to Denton with a loss. The match ended in the fourth set with a match record of 25-17, 25-18, 25-23 and 25-21. The Javelinas were unstoppable in the first and second set only allowing a total of 21 kills from the Pioneers. Freshman Nicole Murff knows that chemistry had an impact on the outcome of the match. “We came together, and we didn’t force it into the fifth set,” she said. “We know how late it is in the season and don’t want to mess anything up.” Team chemistry showed on Saturday and favored a victory over the Pioneers. Head volleyball coach Tanya Allen has been talking to the team about how chemistry impacts a game. “Being there for their teammates and not being selfish. It’s a work in progress, but I think that it’s getting better,” she said.Team leader and senior Brabham continues her triple-double streak by combining now, nine this season alone. Although Brabham finds a way to put big numbers in the stat book, she knows that without team unity on the court, the Javelinas cannot get very far. “Things have really changed outside just with us getting along. We definitely feel it on the court,” Brabham said. Saturday’s game leaders were Brabham, Washington, Haley Hutchinson, and Melanie Casteel who totaled 50 kills, seven blocks, and two aces. The Javelinas are taking on Tarleton at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 back at home in the Steinke Physical Education Center.