The Bearkat volleyball team broke their two-game losing streak at Prairie View A&M on Tuesday night.
Sam Houston State went on the road and swept the Prairie View A&M Panthers in three sets: 25-20, 25-20 and 25-23, to improve their record to 7-9 for the season.
Kim Black led the Bearkats with 10 kills and also added six blocks. Carli Kolbe, who added eight kills, and Anna Ferguson, who had five kills, played in only the first two sets. The bench filled in nicely for Sam Houston State and stepped up enough to allow the team’s stars to get some rest during the game.
“I talked to the girls before the game and I told them I was going to start with Carli and Anna, but I was not going to finish with them, so I told them that they would need to step up,” said head coach Brenda Gray. “They rose to the occasion and the entire team played last night. When everyone was in I think they did a great job. For us to have everyone play and to win in three, it was a really good night for us.”
The Bearkats had contrl of the game throughout all three sets. Sam Houston State got off to an early lead in the match by taking the first set, 25-20.
Their execution continued in the second match, with help coming from everyone. With the entire team playing at a higher level, the Bearkats took the second set, 25-20, to take a 2-0 leaad at the half.
The Bearkats came out with fire in the third seet and the momentum remained in Sam Houston State’s favor. With Kolbe and Ferguson resting on the bench, the Bearkats completed the three-set sweep of Prairie view, 25-23, to win the match on a great effort.
To complement Black’s 10 kills, Camille Alfaro also helped the Bearkats go on to victory with four kills, along with Becky Swann, who added two kills. Libero Kaylee Hawkins led the team wih 13 digs.
Sam Houston State’s win over Prairie View A&M marks their first road victory of the season. Before Tuesday nights match, the Bearkats were 0-7 on the road. Winning on the road will be pivotal for this young Bearkat team, with eight of their final 17 games of the season being away games.
With starting setter Kym Loving and starting outside hitter Kelli Stewart missing significant time with injuries, Bearkats will need to build depth in the team in order to compete throughout the season. Coach Gray looks to continue getting everyone involved in the future in games to come.
“I want to get as many people in as possible for Thursday night’s game and continue with timing for Carli and Anna,” said Coach Gray. “We need to get more people in because when we get in those situations where we need some help, they’ve got to be ready. They can’t be too nervous or uptight, and giving them more looks in the game will give them the extra confidence that they need.”
The Bearkats will be back in action tonight in the Johnson Coliseum, where Sam Houston State will host Texas Southern University. The Bearkats look to increase their home record to 7-2 and their overall record to 8-9.