No. 1 A&M-Corpus Christi Sweeps No. 8 Southeastern La.
Southland Conference
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Highlights
Replay
CONWAY, Ark. – No. 1 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated No. 8 Southeastern Louisiana in three sets (25-14, 25-17, 25-22) Friday to open the 2015 Southland Conference Tournament on the campus of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.
The Islander got off to a quick start, going up 10-4 forcing a Southeastern timeout. The Lady Lions were unable to adjust as the Islanders held Southeastern to a .026 hitting percentage due to a solid front line with three block assists by sophomore middle blocker Brittany Gilpin. The Islanders had match point at 24-12 when the Lady Lions started a small rally before losing to a serving error 25-14.
Southeastern kept the next set close with a 5-1 run to hold the Islanders to a 13-10 lead in the middle of the set. Junior middle blocker/outside hitter Landry Bullock led the Lady Lion attack with four kills and a .571 hitting percentage. The Islanders eventually broke away to take the set 25-17 as senior outside hitter Ivy Baresh, junior right side Morgan Carlson, and sophomore setter Kristyn Nicholson combined for nine kills.
Much like the previous set, the Lady Lions would not go down without a fight. After going back and forth for the start of the frame, the Islanders led by Carlson and Baresh pulled away 19-10. Southeastern then went on an 8-2 run to narrow the Islander lead to 21-18. Both teams continued to trade points until the Islanders finally took the set 25-22, earning a hard fought sweep.
Gilpin lead the Islanders defense with a career high three block solos and seven block assists, holding the Lady Lions to a .039 overall hitting percentage.
The Islanders will advance to the Southland Volleyball Tournament semifinals Saturday, Nov. 21 at noon and will take on the winner of match two, No. 4 McNeese State or No. 5 New Orleans.
The first two rounds of the tournament will be streamed live on the Southland Conference Digital Network, including
Southland.org/watch and the league’s mobile and tablet apps. The championship round will be an exclusive presentation of ESPN3, available via
WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.
A&M-Corpus Christi Head Coach Tony Graystone
On Defense
“We started off really hot with the block and it only got better as the match went along,” said head coach Tony Graystone. “I was really happy with our block. Southeastern started doing some things as the match went on to test our defense so it was very important for our block to have a good night.”
On Morgan Carlson
“We know that Carlson is kind of our key here,” Graystone said. “She keeps our offense balanced and especially today, Southeastern really took our middles away, so we had to have another hitter and Morgan did a great job.”
On Brittany Gilpin
“No question Brittany had a great day to lead the block,” said Graystone. “She covered the net well and even when they tried to get turn ball around her she dropped a hand in and closed the angle. She just did a really nice job today.”
Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Jim Smoot
On pace of play throughout the match
“Corpus came after us really strong. I think we were not servicing well and not running our offense well. On the flip side of that, we weren’t serving tough enough to get then out of their offense. They’re really good and you have to serve really tough against them. Then we just kind of settled down.”
On maneuvering around A&M-Corpus Christi’s blocking game
“I don’t think we ever really did a great job adjusting to their blocks. We stared setting Landry Bullock when we good and she had a great game, but we had a lot of players hit negative, which is disappointing. “