SHERMAN, Texas – The Southwestern University women's volleyball team closed out a weekend Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference sweep with a decisive 3-0 victory over the host Austin College.
Just one day removed from taking convincing 3-0 wins over Dallas and Centenary at Austin's Hughey Gymnasium, the Pirates (13-8, 9-2 SCAC) held the Roos to a -.031 hitting percentage with only one Austin player collecting at least five kills.
Emma White, however, led a contingent of three Southwestern attackers in double-digit kills with 15 to go along with 14 digs for yet another double-double outing.
Southwestern started the match hot carrying the momentum it built from the previous day's victories and led by an 8-3 count thanks to kills by Brantley, White and Kuras as well as a pair of service aces from Geneva Nedrow.
Austin (11-11, 4-6 SCAC) would close it to within 14-13, but the Pirates proceeded to reel off an 11-4 run to close out the first set.
The second set looked like the Pirates were going to run away with it after amassing a 10-4 advantage before the Roos went on an 8-1 run to take a 12-11 lead.
The setting duo of Annika Flora and Claire Romo got their attacking teammates settled down and took care of business righting the ship en route to a 14-5 run including 11 of the final 14 points.
Brantley, White and Kuras combined for 14 of Southwestern's 16 kills in the third set as the Pirates jumped out to a 19-13 lead after being tied at 12-12. Austin could not recover in time and dropped the third set 25-18.
Flora led the Prates with 18 assists and was closely followed by Romo with 17.
Nedrow led all players with 15 digs and three service aces.
The service game for Southwestern also played a hand in the victory as the Roos were constantly on their toes not knowing who was going to be taking the first bump of a point.
"Today we saw a complete team type of execution from our passers, the setters and we attacked the ball with more heat and composure," said head coach Don Flora about his team's effort. "Having three attackers with 12 or more kills in three sets is a good signal for the offense. The staff felt the balance and decision making from the setters was clearer and more decisive today. Seeing the team support one another throughout the entire weekend of three matches, winning straight set wins is a good vibe for the team."
UP NEXT
Southwestern will return to the Robertson Center for one final home contest of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Senior Night festivities to honor the team's six seniors (White, Brantley, Abi Benavides, Jessica Kuras, Joelle Zoolkoski and Katelyn Whitehead) will be prior to first serve against St. Thomas, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT.
