The Javelina volleyball team held on to their first place position after matches in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. They are now 5-1 in their division, 6-2 in conference and have an overall record of 15-7.
After several weeks of midweek games and a hectic traveling schedule, the Javelinas had two out of town matches against the St. Edwards Hilltoppers and the St. Mary’s Rattlers this week. The Hilltoppers topped the Javelinas in three sets for their first divisional loss and the Javelinas got their revenge on the Rattlers in five sets.
Despite a good fight by the Javelinas, they were unable to get past the Hilltoppers that took the match with a sweep (25-23, 26-24, 25-21). Sophomore Jordan Wonders picked up nine kills and senior Talleyshia Morris smashed over eight of her own. Sophomores Lauren Kadilis and Nicole Murff recorded 32 digs altogether. The first set was back and forth as the lead changed several times between the two. Although they took the lead at the end, the Hilltoppers came back to claim the first set. The Hilltoppers started on top in the second set, but the Javelinas regained the lead. The lead was traded several times again, only for the Hilltoppers to come in and take the second set. The third set started the same with the Hilltoppers taking the lead, and never giving it back. The Blue and Gold fought till the end but were unable to take the lead. The Hilltoppers took the third set.
Over the weekend, the Javelinas were handed their first loss but are still on top in their division. They’ve been working and fighting every day and plan to continue working hard.
“Having our first loss in conference to St. Ed’s was a wake-up call for us and showed that we have to come to play every week,” sophomore Emily North said. “We’re still psyched that we’re sitting at number one in the conference right now and we hope to keep improving every week.”
The Javs had their chance at revenge and took it after the Rattlers defeated them a month ago in the Emerald Beach Invitational. The Javelinas came out on top after five sets (25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 19-25, 15-13). Morris threw down 21 kills and 11 blocks. The 11 blocks she picked up are the most by a Javelina since 2011. Wonders picked up another 15 kills in these five sets. Kadilis and North both recorded double-doubles in this match. Kadilis picked up 38 assists and 11 digs while North grabbed 17 assists and 13 digs. Murff recorded more than 30 digs for the third time this season racking up 32 digs in total. The Javelinas took the lead in the first two sets with the Rattlers trying to close in but weren’t able to take the lead which led to a 2-0 start for the Javs. The third set started a little different with the Rattlers taking the lead. The Blue and Gold tried to come back but couldn’t make up the lead that the Rattlers had put up and lost their first set. The fourth set went the same with the Javs unable to take the lead after the Rattlers took it and ran with it to tie it up at 2-2. In the final set of the match, the Javelinas and Rattlers tied up the game eight times. The Rattlers took the lead at 7 but the Javelinas quickly jumped back and stole the lead. The Rattlers tied it up once again but the Blue and Gold came out victorious in this back and forth matchup to take the win.
The Blue and Gold will be back in action at home this weekend against Cameron and UA-Forth Smith.