'Roos Fall in SCAC Semifinals

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team earned a big win over Texas Lutheran in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference quarterfinals, but came up short against top-seeded Trinity University in the semifinal round on Friday in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos finish the year with an overall record of 21-14.

The 'Roos dropped the opening set 26-24 against Texas Lutheran, but took control after that with three straight wins to come away with a 3-1 victory. Austin College took the second set 25-16, the third by a score of 25-17, and clinched the victory with a 25-21 fourth set win. Rachel Sadler had 14 kills to lead the 'Roos and Mattie Duncan added 13 kills and five total blocks, while TJ Folse had 12 kills and 18 digs. Laynie Kovacs paced the 'Roos with 36 digs and six service aces, and Tatum Torres added 12 digs. Madison Manning had a match-high 30 assists and added 10 digs of her own. Brianne Tseng chipped in 21 assists and nine digs in the victory.

Brylie Nedd led Texas Lutheran with 12 kills and added 16 digs, while Faith Coldewey had a match-high 38 digs and Julie Chew had 27 assists to lead the Bulldogs.

Austin College battled against Trinity for three sets, but the Tigers took control in the fourth to hand the 'Roos a 3-1 defeat. Trinity took the opening set 25-21 before Austin College bounced back with a 25-23 second set win, but after the 'Roos took a 15-13 lead in the third set, Trinity rallied back to take it 25-20 and clinched a berth in the SCAC championship match with a 25-14 fourth set win. 

Sadler and Folse each had 11 kills to lead Austin College, with Folse also adding 11 digs, and Kovacs once again led the 'Roos with 19 digs. Duncan had seven kills and Jazmyn Kizziar chipped in six, while Manning posted her second double-double of the day with 21 assists and 12 digs. She also had three service aces and a pair of kills. Tseng had 17 assists and five digs in the loss. Mackenzie Logan posted 18 kills and Reagan Whatley added 14 for the Tigers.