SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball was pushed to the brink in both of its matches on Friday, but the 'Roos managed to scrape out a pair of five set victories against St. Thomas and Texas Lutheran in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. The 'Roos are now 16-3 overall and 5-2 in conference action.

Austin College sprinted out to a 15-1 lead in the first set against St. Thomas and ended up taking it 25-14, but the Celts took the next two sets 23-25 and 18-25 to put the 'Roos in a 2-1 hole. Austin College battled back to take a 25-21 win in the third set, before dominating the fifth set 15-7 to earn the victory. Victoria Smith had 15 kills to pace Austin College in the win, adding six total blocks. Riley Abernethy and Olivia Linton each had 10 kills, with Abernethy also tying for the team lead with 17 digs. Mari Prazak posted 17 digs as well, and also had five service aces in the win. Brooklyn Talley had 28 assists, and Aubree McCune added 15 for the 'Roos.

Against Texas Lutheran, the 'Roos once again took the opening set, battling to a 27-25 victory, before the Bulldogs took set two 12-25 and set three 19-25. Austin College fought back and earned a 27-25 win in the fourth, and after going back and forth in the fifth set the 'Roos pulled away late to earn a 15-11 win and clinch the match. Linton had a team-best 15 kills and Smith added 12, while Abernethy posted 11 kills and 19 digs in the win. Prazak had 39 digs, while Talley had 28 assists and added 11 digs, pushing her over the 1,000-dig milestone for her career. Brianne Tseng added 20 assists and 11 digs for Austin College.