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PRAGUE, Czech Republic- The Texas A&M volleyball team had its best performance of its European tour today, getting solid all-around play to defeat the talented and hard-hitting Czech Republic Junior National Team, 25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 25-16. The teams then played a fifth game to get players more experience, and the Aggies came back to defeat the Czechs, 21-19.
"I was just so proud," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "It was not only a great start, but we were consistently effective. Our players were executing the things that they've been working on this trip, and it all seemed to come so easily against maybe the hardest hitting team we've seen in a long, long time. The Czech team really hit the ball hard and they served the balls really, really hard, so we are just gleaming with pride right now. The poise, the confidence and the consistency that we strive for every day was there, and it was a great way to begin wrapping up the trip."
   
The Aggies used a 7-1 run early in the first set to break away from a 4-4 tie. The Czech Republic got no closer than 15-11 before A&M went on a 6-1 run to take its biggest lead at 21-12 with Sarah Ammerman (Parker, Colo.) posting three of her seven kills of the set during the run. Czech Republic made a rally of its own, getting within five points at 23-18 and 24-19 before the Czechs were whistled for a back row attack to end the set.
The Czech Republic jumped out to a 6-2 advantage in the second set and maintained a lead until A&M used a four-point spurt to take its first lead, 9-8. There were seven ties and two lead changes, with the final tie coming at 16-all. A&M then pulled away with a 7-1 outburst. Up 24-19, Kelsey Bryant (Austin, Texas) got a kill through the block for the winning point.
A&M held a 21-19 edge in the third set when the Czech Republic scored six unanswered point to win the set and force a fourth set.
Leading 5-3 in the fourth set, the Aggies quickly pulled away to a 13-4 lead, taking advantage of solid serving and passing from Jola Kelner (Poland) and Mary Batis (San Antonio, Texas) and strong net play by Darla Donaldson (Temecula, Calif.) and Ammerman. The Junior National Team got within 14-9 when Ammerman and Bryant had back-to-back kills and then Bryant teamed with Jillian Phillips (Marble Falls, Texas) for a block. The Czech Republic later used a three-point run but never got closer than seven points before Donaldson got a kill for the match-winner.
"It was really a rewarding feeling for me today, because we had all odds against us with a very tough 15-hour travel day the day before," Corbelli said. 'We challenged the team with being on the road and with all the difficulties. We knew this was going to be a tough test for us from a mental standpoint against a really strong Czech national team."
The teams agreed to play the fifth game to get more players training and experience. Using Jennifer Banse (San Antonio) and Kelsey Black (Amarillo, Texas) on the left side and Stephanie Cadavid (San Antonio) coming in for back row defense, the Czech Republic took a 9-6 lead. But the Aggies came charging back, riding kills by Black, Donaldson and Banse tied the score. A&M eventually went on a 3-0 spurt to take a 13-11 lead, its first lead of the set. The Czech Republic would use two blocks and an ace to regain the lead and were serving for the set at 14-13. Phillips came through with a kill to tie the score, but Czech Republic answered with a kill. Phillips and Donaldson had back-to-back kills to regain the lead. The teams traded sideouts before a Czech Republic service error and a block by Phillips and Bryant gave the Aggies a 21-19 victory.
"We have five outside hitters and one has been playing libero," Corbelli said about A&M's depth on the outside. "We've been trying to get them as many swings as we can at opportune times without worrying about winning and losing. But we wanted them to get the win. They passed beautifully and took some big swings, I was really impressed that the team didn't skip a beat.
Corbelli gave much of the team's overall performance to setter Kristen Schevikhoven (Centennial, Colo,).
"Shevi had an All-American performance," she said. "There is no doubt in my mind she is turning into an All-American setter. She ran the offense like a dream. It was like she could close her eyes and put the ball where she wanted it to go. We also saw the value of what she has to offer from both a talent and a leadership perspective. She stayed relaxed and did a beautiful job. She has to get a lot of the credit, although against these tough serves, our passes were and didn't hesitate at all and just kept the pressure on them with great side-out plays."
Corbelli also credited freshman libero Chelsea Ringel (Arlington, Texas) for her back-row defense.
"Extremely incredibly solid," Corbelli said when describing Ringel's play. "I don't know i've had a more reliable player. I love her mode on the court, so easy for the other players to work with. It's hard to describe the dimension she brings to the team."
The Aggies improved to 6-1 on their European tour and conclude the trip against their toughest competition tomorrow as they take on a professional team, Olylmp Praha Volleyball, from the Czech Republic.
"The match today was a perfect build up," Corbelli said. "Today was a tough, tough team. We want to win tomorrow. The team wants to leave no doubt in their own minds that they are going to achieve their goals in the fall. The bitterness of not playing in the NCAs is still there. We left a doubt in the committee's mind, so we are leaving no doubt this trip."
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