Huntsville, Tex. - With a 25-20 27-25 25-17 victory over McNeese State Saturday afternoon, the Sam Houston State volleyball team rolls into next weekend's Southland Conference Tournament with a three-match winning streak.
Carli Kolbe totaled 19 kills and Kaylee Hawkins added 11 more to lead Sam Houston (15-16, Southland 9-7) in their second consecutive home three-set victory.
Regina Trapp and Erin Huckabay led McNeese State (14-17, Southland 8-8) with 10 kills apiece.
Sam Houston produced 66 winners in the match while McNeese State totaled only 46. The Kats posted 51 kills in 126 attempts with only 14 errors.
Haley Neisler added seven kills and Kim Black had five.
Down early 9-6 in the first set, Sam Houston closed out by winning 19 of the next 30 points and appeared to be rolling in the second set when Hawkins went down with an apparent leg injury.
With the sophomore outside hitter on the sidelines, McNeese built a 19-15 lead. But Hawkins returned late in the set and Sam Houston closed out the second frame with a 12-6 run.
The Bearkats trailed only once in the third set to complete the victory.
Kym Loving ran the floor with 43 assists and totaled seven digs. Tayler Gray and Hawkins led the defense with 11 digs apiece.
Sam Houston State will host the Southland Conference tournament which begins with four quarterfinal matches on Friday. The semifinals will be Saturday night at 5 p.m. and the finals will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
