Bulldogs Fall in Five Sets to Austin College

SHERMAN, TX -- Texas Lutheran volleyball had its chances but came up just short in a five-set match vs. Austin College on the road Friday evening at Austin College's Hughey Gymnasium. The Bulldogs served for match point in the fourth set, but eventually lost the set and the next one in an intense 3-2 (25-27, 25-12, 25-19, 27-25, 15-11) loss.

The match was the Bulldogs' second of three in their third SCAC Divisional weekend. The Bulldogs currently sit 10-8 (3-4 SCAC) while Austin College is 16-3 (5-2 SCAC).

The Bulldogs led for a majority of the first set before a Roos comeback allowed them to steal the first set 27-25.

Texas Lutheran rolled to a win in set two - leading by as much as 13, 20-7, following an ace from Lexi Morris (Victoria/Victoria West). The Bulldogs hit .281 while holding Austin College to a -.135 hitting percentage.

After trailing 9-3 to start the third set, the Bulldogs battled back to overcome the early deficit to win the third-set 25-19.

The Bulldogs started the fourth set strong, leading for a majority of the set, the Bulldogs couldn't secure the match point with a 24-23 lead as the Roos closed the set 27-25.

The fifth set was tied 10-10 before the Roos took over scoring five of the final six points to end the match.

The Bulldogs had numerous big statistical nights led by junior Peyton Sulak (Needville/Needville). Sulak finished with a team-high 9 blocks along with 13 kills, 8 digs and an ace - leading the Bulldogs with 20 points. Tanyse Moehrig-Woodard (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) led the Bulldogs with 16 kills and added 4 digs. 

The Bulldogs finished with 107 digs, led by Lexi Morris (35) and Hayden Smyers (Needville/Needville) (25), for a season high for the Bulldogs. The 25 digs made for a career high for Smyers.

Shavonne Respondek (San Antonio/Madison) set a new career high with 28 assists while Adrienne Galaviz (San Antonio/Harlandale) added 24 more.

The Bulldogs will face the University of Dallas in Sherman on Saturday at 12 PM to wrap the weekend. All streaming and stat links can be found on tlubulldogs.com.