Austin College Drops Pair of SCAC Matches

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team battled but came up short against Southwestern and Texas Lutheran on Saturday in Hughey Gym, falling 3-1 to the Pirates and 3-0 against the Bulldogs to bring the team's record to 15-12 overall and 4-9 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Against Southwestern, the 'Roos fell 25-22 in the opening set before pulling out a hard-fought 26-24 win in set two. The Pirates responded with a 25-20 win in the third set, and they'd put the 'Roos away with a 25-17 clincher in the fourth. Riley Abernethy had 13 kills and 13 digs to lead Austin College, and Olivia Linton added 10 kills, seven digs, and four total blocks. Samantha Graham chipped in nine kills and five total blocks, and Jaiden Tocquigny and Rita Araya had six and five total blocks, respectively. 

Laynie Kovacs had a team-best 23 digs and Brianne Tseng had 21 assists and 12 digs, while Madison Manning added 16 assists and eight digs. Victoria Smith also contributed seven kills and three block assists for Austin College in the loss.

All three sets against Texas Lutheran were tight in the second match of the day for the 'Roos, but the Bulldogs came out on top in all three by scores of 25-22, 25-23, and 25-22. Smith had a team-best 10 kills and Mattie Duncan and Araya each added eight, with Araya also finishing with five total blocks and a .300 hitting percentage. Kovacs once again paced the 'Roos defensively with 33 digs, and Tseng had 22 assists and eight digs. Manning chipped in 12 assists in the loss.

Austin College is back in action tomorrow as they take on the University of St. Thomas at 10:00 a.m. before playing Centenary College at 2:30 p.m. Following that match, the 'Roos will be recognizing its four seniors for Senior Day.