October 18, 2008
CU defeats TAMUK in final set
LAWTON, Oklahoma (October 18) – The Cameron Aggie volleyball team (11-9, 3-4 LSC) had won just one five-set match all year… until today. This afternoon in the Aggie Gym, CU defeated the Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-14, 3-6 LSC) 3-2. The match was scored 25-27, 31-29, 14-25, 25-20, 15-13, and lasted just under three hours. A number of soldiers from nearby Ft. Sill attended the match in uniform, much to the delight of the Aggie student-athletes and fans who so appreciate the military’s effort.
“In this match we had far too many highs and lows as far as skill and emotions go,” Head Coach Brianne Smedley said. “I thought we played extremely well at times, then really poorly at times. We played with great heart and composure, especially in the fifth set.”
Cameron and Kingsville battled back and forth in the first two sets, splitting the match at 1-1. The Javelinas took complete control in set three, however the resilient Aggie volleyballers battled back to take set four. In set five
TAMUK started out on a roll but the Aggies regained the lead and never looked back.
“I think what keeps us winning is that we have different people stepping up at different times,” Coach Smedley said. “This was a must win for us; we had to win. I’m really proud of the girls for pulling it off.”
The Aggies recorded just a .136 attack percentage in the match but were able to out-kill the Javelinas, 61-57. The teams both finished with 59 defensive digs, and TAMUK out-blocked CU 16-7. Cameron again recorded more attack and service errors than their opponents, but also finished with more assists.
Junior Laura Ellerbrock was Cameron’s assist-leader tonight with a game-high total of 45 assists. She also recorded 7 defensive digs, and 2 kills (1 error) on 6 attacks for an attack percentage of .167.
Freshman outside hitter Malyssa Acton led the team with 17 kills (8 errors) on 45 attacks for a .200 attack percentage. Acton also contributed a service ace and 3 defensive digs.
CU’s highest attack percentage tonight came courtesy of senior middle blocker Whitney Long who recorded a .226. She finished with 14 kills (7 errors) on 31 attacks and also recorded a defensive dig, a block-solo, and two block-assists.
Senior libero Haley Hatch led the team defensively with 23 defensive digs. Her 4 assists and game-high 3 service aces also contributed to the victory.
Junior right-side hitter Lindsay Paziuk had a great match as she finished with 15 kills (10 errors) on 48 attacks for a .104 attack percentage. She was also second on the team with 15 defensive digs, in addition to 2 assists, 2 service aces, and a block-assist.
Freshman outside hitter Nikita Abbott also turned in an impressive performance as she posted 10 kills (6 errors) on 20 attacks for a .200 attack percentage. She also recorded a block-solo and 2 block-assists.
The Aggie volleyball team now heads back to the road for the better part of two weeks. CU next matches up against Eastern New Mexico next Thursday (October 23) at 8:00pm (CST) in Portales, New Mexico. Cameron’s next home match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00pm against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
“We still have some crucial matches ahead of us, but at this point there are so many teams that are right there in the middle that it’s difficult to say exactly what we have do to make the postseason,” Coach Smedley said. “That way we can go into every match thinking we need to win.”