November 02, 2005
Laura Jones set a school record for kills in a four-game match, pounding 31 kills to lead Texas A&M to a 30-25, 23-30, 30-23, 30-19 victory over Baylor in front of 637 at the Ferrell Center.
With the win, the Aggies improve to 11-11 overall and 4-9 in the Big 12 and avenge a disheartening loss to the Bears last month in College Station. Baylor, which entered the contest riding a four-match winning streak, falls to 14-11, 5-8.
Baylor held a 2-1 advantage at the start of the match before A&M scored three consecutive points to take a lead it would not relinquish. The Aggies built their biggest lead at 18-10 and again at 23-15. Baylor cut the deficit in half at 29-25 before Lindsey Yon put down the game-winning kill for the Aggies.
It was the Aggies who were unable to hold on to an early lead in the ensuing game, as the Bears hit at a .500 clip to even the match at a game apiece. After A&M jumped out to a 3-0 lead and built its biggest lead at 6-2, Baylor fought back and took its first lead at 11-10 following a three-point run. The Aggies, who hit .190 in the frame, tied the score at 11 and again at 12 before the Bears went on another three-point run to take the lead for good.
A&M never trailed in the third game, and used a 7-1 scoring spurt to build its biggest lead at 27-19. Baylor closed within 29-23 before Jones, who posted eight kills in each of the first two games, nailed the winning point with her ninth kill of the game.
The Aggies outhit Baylor, .455 to .147, in the final frame to finish the match. A&M scored the first point of the game and quickly built a 13-6 advantage. The Aggies capitalized on numerous Baylor unforced errors to extend their lead to a game-high 27-16. The Bears rallied for three unanswered points, but a service error returned serve to A&M. Jones then closed out the match with back-to-back aces, with the match winner hitting the top of the net and falling on Baylor?â„¢s side of the net.
A&M outhit the Bears, .293 to .217, for the match as setter Kari Kelley tallied 55 assists. Holly Clay led A&M to a 58-50 advantage in digs, posting a team-high 16. The Aggies also led in aces, 10-3, getting at least one ace from every player who attempted a serve. Baylor led in blocks, 12-4.
Nicole LeBlanc led the Bears in kills with 16. Desiree Guilliard-Young and Stella Odion added 14 and 11 kills, respectively, and Maggie Chlebana led in digs with 17.
The Aggies have a bye this weekend and return to action Wednesday, Nov. 9 when they play host to No. 1-ranked and undefeated Nebraska at 6:30 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum.