Stephenville, TEXAS – The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelina Volleyball team started their post season play on Thursday against the Angelo State Rams at the Lone Star Conference Tournament which took place at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. The Javelinas were not ready to come back to Kingsville and took the Rams to the fifth set which sent Angelo State back home with a loss. The five-set battle was a roller-coaster with set scores of 15-25, 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 15-11.
The Javelinas forced 34 errors for Angelo and led in hitting with a percentage of .219. Defense was key in the advancement to round two for the Javelinas. Senior Haley Hutchinson charted a personal high in blocks with 483. The squad totaled 14 blocks against the Rams. The Javelinas had a losing record on the road but this is no longer considered a setback for the squad but more of a good challenge in the Javelinas favor. “We just have to make sure the team embraces the challenge and never uses it as an excuse. A challenge like that can actually make us a tougher team,” Head Volleyball coach Tanya Allen said on traveling to Tarleton State for the Lone Star Conference.
The Javelinas came up short on Friday in the five-set match against A&M-Commerce. Although the 20-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 15-12 loss led to the Javelinas return to Kingsville, the team came back with a few awards to showcase and a new school record. Senior Madison Brabham and Junior Talleyshia Morris were selected in the Lone Star Conference all-tournament team on Saturday. Also, Hutchinson set a new school record with the most blocks. As per the Javelina Athletics website, Hutchinson surpassed the previous record holder, Ada Ihemelu with a career total of 487 blocks.
Hutchinson is also the first Javelina to reach 500 sets played in the Volleyball program. Furthermore, Hutchison received a spot on the Lone Star Conference second-team. The awards and recognition do not stop there. The Javelinas lit up the Lone Star Conference Volleyball All-Conference Awards. Brabham received more than being selected first team in the LSC but also won Player of the Year, Offensive player of the year and is part of the All-Academic team. Though the Javelinas season came to an end, there is a lot to be proud of. “I was thankful that I have been able to play the sport I love for four years,” Brabham said on what ran through her head after her final collegiate volleyball game. “Sad that it was over. It was an emotional night”. “The first thing that I thought about after the loss to Commerce was how proud I was of my team,” Allen said, “I wanted to make sure they didn’t hand their head. A loss like that stings a lot, but they had every reason to be proud and confident”.
Although the senior’s indoor volleyball career has come to and end, they still have an entire season of beach volleyball to continue. Coach Allen does not intend to lower the bar at any cost and is expecting another outstanding season from the two. “Haley [Hutchinson] and Madison [Brabham] had amazing indoor careers, contributing to the program for four years,” Allen said, “I expect both to have similar finishes to their beach careers this spring”. Beach Volleyball does not start till Spring 2019, but Brabham is not taking any time off. “I’m ready to get back in the sand. My body would probably like the break but it’s too fun!” said Brabham. There are currently three women on the indoor volleyball roster that will be playing beach volleyball in Spring 2019.
