TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball earned a milestone victory Friday night, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville in four sets (23-25, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20) at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center. The win marked the 200th career victory at UT Tyler for Head Coach Lyndsay Mashe, adding to her record as the winningest volleyball coach in program history.
The Patriots improved to 20-4 overall and 11-3 in Lone Star Conference play with the victory, responding after dropping the opening set to take the next three and secure the match.
UT Tyler battled throughout the opening set, keeping the score close before Texas A&M-Kingsville pulled away late for a 25-23 win. The Patriots held a 16-14 advantage midway through the set following kills from Kailey Manes and a block by Makhai Lewis and Miley Myers. The Javelinas answered with a late run, however, taking the opening frame and putting the Patriots in an early hole.
The second set featured a back-and-forth battle, with UT Tyler facing a four-point deficit at 20-16. The Patriots continued to fight, using timely kills from Melanie Merrill, Maya Jones and Lewis to work their way back into the set. With the score tied late, Manes and Autumn Perry combined for a block to give UT Tyler a 25-24 advantage. Clinton followed with a point late close out the 28-26 set victory and even the match at one set apiece.
The Patriots carried that momentum into the third set. After the teams traded points early, UT Tyler created separation and built a 20-16 lead. Texas A&M-Kingsville continued to challenge, but the Patriots maintained control down the stretch. Jones delivered the closing point to give UT Tyler a 25-22 win and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
The fourth set once again tested the Patriots, as the Javelinas opened with a 10-6 lead. UT Tyler responded to even the score at 12-12 following a kill from Perry. The teams continued to trade points through the middle portion of the set, reaching a 17-17 tie before the Patriots began to pull away. Contributions from Merrill, Mia Cross and Perry helped UT Tyler build its lead, while the Patriots came up with key blocks from Jones, Manes and Perry to close out the 25-20 victory and secure the match.
Jones led the Patriots with 17 kills while hitting .351, adding three block assists. Merrill finished with 14 kills, while Manes contributed 13 kills and six block assists. Perry added 11 kills while hitting .318 and recorded three total blocks. Lewis was highly efficient offensively, recording eight kills without an attack error to hit .571, while adding five total blocks and six digs.
Clinton directed the offense with 60 assists and added 10 digs and three block assists. Cross, Anna Arceneaux and Caroline Ashley each contributed 13 digs, while Cross also led the Patriots with four service aces.
As a team, UT Tyler finished with 70 kills and hit .302, including a .371 hitting percentage in the fourth set. The Patriots also recorded 70 digs and 12 total blocks while limiting Texas A&M-Kingsville to a .190 hitting percentage.
Friday's victory was another important step for the Patriots as they continue their Lone Star Conference schedule, while also marking a significant milestone for Mashe and the UT Tyler volleyball program.
UT Tyler will return to the Louise Herrington Patriot Center tomorrow for Senior Day, hosting Texas A&M International at 2 p.m. The Patriots will recognize their seniors before looking to carry Friday night's momentum into their next conference matchup.
