'Roos Get Big Win on Senior Night

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team split its two matches against Southwestern University on Friday evening, falling 3-1 in the first match of the day but picking up a huge 3-2 win over the Pirates as the 'Roos celebrated Senior Night. Austin College is now 8-6 on the year.

After Southwestern took a 25-21 first set win in the first match of the day, Austin College was dominant in a 25-17 win in set two. However, the Pirates took sets two and three by scores of 25-20 and 25-17 to hand the 'Roos the loss. Southwestern used a team hitting percentage of .233 in the match, while the 'Roos hit .144 collectively. Victoria Smith led Austin College with 12 kills, while Olivia Linton and senior Shelbi Cook each had eight. Ali Horton led the 'Roos with 20 assists and added eight digs, and Mari Prazak had 13 digs. Brooklyn Talley added 17 assists and 10 digs, and Riley Abernathy had 12 digs along with five kills and four service aces.

Austin College came out strong in the second match, taking the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-23. However, Southwestern came storming back with wins of 25-16 and 25-14 to even things up and force a fifth set, but the 'Roos held on for a 15-11 win to secure the match. Abernathy came up big for the 'Roos in the win, posting 14 kills and adding 13 digs while boasting a .353 hitting percentage. Linton had 12 kills for the 'Roos, and Prazak led the way defensively with 24 digs while Spencer Wynne had six total blocks. Horton and Talley each had 18 assists, with Talley also adding 13 digs. Cook had three service aces to lead Austin College in that department on the evening.