Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball lost 3-1 against Tarleton State during the Islander Classic on Saturday, Sept. 18 in the Dugan Wellness Center. 

The Islanders closed out the Islander Classic, stepping onto the court with confidence in all four matches after having a setback with UTEP Friday afternoon. 

Both teams battled back and forth as Tarleton took the 1-0 match lead with the final set score of 25-19. In the second set, the Islanders were tied 16-16 with Tarleton, and managed to take advantage to level out the 1-1 match score with 25-22. The Tarleton Texans beat the Islanders in the last two sets with consecutive set wins of 25-20 to end the match for the Islanders Classic finale. 

Steve Greene, Head Volleyball Coach for TAMUCC, said the Islanders performed with confidence levels high throughout the ups and downs of the match. Greene continued saying that he wants to improve the Islanders’ defense by improving ball control.

 “We executed at a really high level and then at times we were a little unsure of ourselves,” said Greene. “We are trying to get settled into rhythm.” 

TAMU-CC’s top leaders of the game ended with Kyndal Payne with 15 kills with receiving an All-Tournament team award as a freshman during the Islander Classic, senior Rachel Young with three blocks, junior Faith Panhans with 30 assists, and junior Carissa Barnes with 39 digs, and three aces.  

Carissa Barnes, libero for the Islanders, received an All-Tournament team award for being outstanding in all three matches and was announced Southland Defensive Player for the third-consecutive week. Barnes said her team struggled with confidence and the mentality going into the match versus UTEP before playing Tarleton. The Islanders went in with their game plan and displayed more consistency on offense and defense against the Tarleton Texans according to Barnes.

“With the Texas State game, that’s when we were at our strongest,” said Barnes. “It’s definitely about those little consistencies and those small techniques, you know that every player on our team can implement in order to win the game. We love when the [fans] come out and support us, you know it’s definitely a confidence booster on the team’s part. Hopefully they’ll come and support us at our next home game.”
Greene also would like to thank the Deep End, for all their cheering and all that they put into helping the team. The Islanders will be playing their next match against UIW on Sat. Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. in San Antonio.