Final Stats (.pdf)

SAN ANTONIO – Kaelen Valdez set a new career-high with 19 kills and tied her career-best in digs (20) to notch her fourth double-double of the season and help lead the Angelo State volleyball team past Incarnate Word, 3-2 (25-10, 25-14, 22-25, 23-25, 15-8), Tuesday night at the McDermott Center. The victory marks the Belles' fifth consecutive win, as they have opened the season 5-0.

Valdez has gotten off to a hot start as she has recorded four double-doubles in five matches and leads the team with a total of 57 kills and 62 digs. In addition, she tallied three assists and recorded a block assist in the contest.

Current Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Chelsea Gibson, showed her versatility as she slammed 15 kills and posted a .303 hitting percentage. Gibson added one assist, a dig, and a pair of block for the Belles (5-0, 1-0 LSC)

Alex Woolsey continued to pace the Belles as she turned in a solid performance at setter after being named LSC Setter of the Week for her efforts over the weekend. The junior notched 46 assists and 10 digs for a double-double and contributed three kills and a pair of block assists.

Angelo State jumped ahead of Incarnate Word (1-5, 0-1 LSC) quickly in the first set and cruised to a 25-10 victory. The Belles recorded a match-high 15 kills in the second set and defeated the Cardinals, 25-14.

However, the Cardinals came back in the third set determined to close the gap. UIW limited the Belles to just .115 hitting and the Cardinals smacked 18 kills to take a 25-22 win. In the fourth set, the Cardinals edged the Belles, 25-23, to force a fifth and deciding set.

The Belles gained their momentum back in the fifth set as they quickly jumped out in front to a 4-0 lead. The Cardinals managed to cut the lead to two (4-2), but Angelo State would not allow them to come any closer. The Belles never trailed in the fifth set and they took the set and match with a 15-8 victory.

The ASU defense was solid once again as is limited the Cardinals to .159 hitting and forced them into 22 attack errors. Freshman Shelby Wilt was consistent in the back row as she recorded a team-high 23 digs to lead the defense. The Belles had six players in double-figure digs, with Wilt leading the way with 23, Valdez following with 20, senior Kayla Smith and sophomore Shelby Warick's 14 each, junior Alexa Williams' 12 and Woolsey's 10. Sophomore Maddie Huth contributed in a big way for the defense as she recorded three block assists and four solo blocks in the match.

Although the defense flourished, the offense was not to be outdone as the Belles tallied 64 kills as a team and hit .224 in the contest. Huth led the way with a .429 hitting percentage and senior Debbie Ohl turned in a solid .333 attack percentage as did junior Katie Coleman.

Incarnate Word was led by Stephanie Bonura's 13 kills and Lydia Werchan's match-high 32 digs. Setter Sarah Nordman notched 36 assists for the Cardinals.

The Belles host Tarleton State Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. in their home opener at the Junell Center. Live stats, live audio and live streaming will be available on AngeloSports.com.

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