Islanders Claim 2015 Southland Volleyball Tournament Title
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Highlights
CONWAY, Ark. – No. 1 A&M-Corpus Christi defeated No. 6 Houston Baptist 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17) Sunday in the championship match of the 2015 Southland Conference Tournament on the campus of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.
The Islanders took an early 5-1 lead, but back-to-back service aces by junior setter Kayla Armer led to a 9-2 run by Houston Baptist to go ahead and force an Islanders timeout. The Islanders were able to regroup after multiple Husky errors, tying the match at 13-13. The two teams continued to trade runs keeping the set close. Tied at 20-20, the Islanders made one final run to take the set 25-21. The Islanders were able to attack from several angles with five different Islanders earning multiple kills.
Led by senior middle blocker Kelsee Felux’s five kills and .556 hitting percentage, the Islanders were able to keep the Huskies on their heels in the second set. After holding the lead throughout the set the Islanders claimed the second set 25-19.
The Islanders led again at the start of the third set until junior outside hitter Jessica Wooten’s three consecutive kills and two service aces gave the Huskies their first lead at 16-14. The 5-0 run gave the Huskies a much-needed spark facing a three-set elimination. Wooten had the final kill to put the third set away 25-20 in the Huskies’ favor.
The Islanders stepped up defensively holding the Huskies to a .172 hitting percentage in the fourth set. The Huskies, led by Wooten and sophomore middle blocker Blair Gillard with four kills each, were able to keep the match close until a 7-1 Islander run made the score 23-14. A kill from junior right side Morgan Carlson ended the final set 25-17, giving the Islanders their first Southland Volleyball Tournament title.
Senior outside hitter Ivy Baresh led the Islander attack with 17 kills while sophomore middle blocker Brittany Gilpin led the defense with six block assists and a block solo. Wooten and Gillard led the Huskies with 14 and 12 kills, respectively.
The Islanders earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with the first round and second rounds of the tournament held Dec. 3-5, times and locations will be announced through the selection show. The 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament bracket will be announced on ESPNU Sunday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. CT.
2015 All-Tournament Team
| Player |
Pos. |
School |
| Ivy Baresh (MVP) |
OH |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Morgan Carlson |
RS |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Kristyn Nicholson |
S |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Blair Gillard |
MB |
Houston Baptist |
| Jessica Wooten |
OH |
Houston Baptist |
| Amber Fryer |
MB |
McNeese State |
| Jordyn Vaughn |
OH |
Sam Houston State |
A&M-Corpus Christi Head Coach Tony Graystone
On winning the tournament
“It feels so good. I couldn’t be prouder of these girls and all they’ve accomplished. We’ve been in this together since day and I don’t know that I’ve ever had a team that’s been this close. You could see it today, every player was celebrating for those individual moments from their teammates.”
On Kelsee Felux and Ivy Baresh
“They all contributed big time. I was really happy with Kelsee especially, she came up really big for us with some huge points. Ivy was her usual self and we’ve seen this for four years, so it’s no surprise she led the team offensively. For those four seniors, it’s so satisfying to seen what they’ve done in four years. They’ve been a part of so many things and it’s really fitting for it to all end this way."
Houston Baptist Head Coach Trent Herman
On play during the tournament
“First of all, Tony (Graystone) and A&M-Corpus Christi played an excellent match and had a great season. We tried to do something to get them rattled. The team fought the entire tournament and put it all together at the end of the season. I can’t ask for anything else from them, they kept it going.”