September 08, 2000
The 18th-ranked Texas A&M volleyball team opened the 2000 Longhorn Classic in fine fashion Friday with a 15-13, 15-10, 15-4 victory over the Washington Huskies in front of 204 fans at Gregory Gymnasium.
Boasting a balanced attack, the Aggies (3-2) had five players post double figures in kills, led by junior outside hitter Michelle Cole with 14. Senior middle blocker Heather Marshall had a season-high 13, while junior outside hitter Brandi Mount, junior middle blocker Erin Gibson and junior setter Jenna Moscovic added 10 apiece.
"We have worked on balancing the court and giving everyone equal time at the net," A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli said. "With (Moscovic) setting so nice we were able to do that well tonight."
A long first game saw the Huskies (3-2) open up a 5-1 lead to start the match, eventually increasing the margin to 9-5 on an Aggie hitting error and a Husky block. A&M closed the gap to 9-8 following a timeout, but two kills and a big block put Washington up 12-8. The Aggies took the lead for the first time since the first point of the game at 13-12 on a Gibson kill. Eleven consecutive side outs followed before UW was able to tie the game at 13, but A&M regained the lead and closed out the first game on a block to take a 1-0 lead.
"At the start of the match, we did a good job of getting a feel for our opponent," Corbelli said. "Washington did things that we haven't seen before. We were patient and learned as we went along. I was most proud that we hung in there and never let the score get out of hand. Our determination and adjustments allowed us to come back to win Game 1."
The Huskies took the initial lead again in Game 2 at 8-5, but the Aggies rattled off the next seven points to go up 14-9. Cole led the way with eight kills in the game, and Marshall put down a block to give A&M a 15-10 win.
Game 3 was all A&M, as the Aggies held Washington to a .000 hitting percentage and jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead. Marshall posted four kills in the game to help A&M close out the match with a 15-4 victory.
Moscovic set a career-high by hitting .588 (10k-0e-17ta) on the evening. Her 10 kills tied a career mark set twice previously.
The Aggies conclude action in the Longhorn Classic tomorrow when they meet 1999 NCAA Tournament participant Eastern Washington. First serve at Gregory Gymnasium is set for 5 p.m. (CDT). Saturday's match is the final tune-up for Big 12 action as A&M opens conference play on Wednesday at Missouri.