EPIC RALLIES HIGHLIGHT DAY TWO AS PIRATES COMPLETE SWEEP
Posted: Sep 18, 2010
GEORGETOWN, Texas - Southwestern had to continuously dig deep
during day two action at the SCAC West/Central Cross as they
defeated Rhodes College 3-0 and Trinity 3-2. The young Pirate squad
continues to define themselves as they play top competition,
further cementing their status as one of the nation's elite.
Southwestern found themselves in a battle once again in their
first match on day two, taking on a scrappy Rhodes team. The
Pirates did exert their dominance, however, winning in three close
sets 25-20, 28-26, and 25-21. Lindsay
Thompson (pictured) led in kills (11) and blocks (3) while Rachel
Thibodeau recorded 10 kills. Christina
Nicholls racked up 33 assists and a team high 17 digs. Annie Hutson and Allison
Stubbs were close behind with 14 digs each. Stubbs also
contributed two aces as did Lauren
Brown.
The final match placed Southwestern against longtime conference
rival Trinity. The Pirates came storming out of the gates, quickly
amassing a five point lead, 10-5, then ten point lead 20-10 and
cruised to the game one 25-14 win.
The momentum took a 180 degree turn as game two got underway and
Trinity jumped out to an 8-1 lead. The Pirates attempted to close
the gap and pulled within two points a couple of times but were
unable to surpass the Tigers as they took game two 25-21.
Trinity carried the momentum into game three as they took a
commanding 10 point lead at the midway point. The lead seemed to be
insurmountable and turned out to be as the Pirates' final rally
fell short handing the Tigers a 25-22 win to go up 2-1 in the
match.
Game four was more reminiscent of what fans expected from this
epic matchup, a back and forth bout with constant lead changes.
Southwestern managed to acquire a brief lead and maintained it,
sealing the game win, 25-21, with an ace from Nicholls.
The decisive game five got underway with Trinity striking first.
The Tigers pulled ahead briefly to a 8-5 lead but the Pirates
quickly closed the gap, pulling even 8-8 on a devastating block by
Thompson and Jill
Wigington.
Southwestern built the lead to 13-11 before Trinity scored
again. A well placed time-out by Coach Long froze Trinity's player
who missed the serve, giving SU the ball back needing just one
point to win. A long rally ended when Stubbs' kill glanced
off Trinity's blockers and careened out of bounds handing the
Pirates the 15-12 game five win and 3-2 match victory.
Thompson led with 16 kills and 7 blocks in the match. Lauren
Brown had 14 kills and Jill Wigington notched four blocks. Nicholls
recorded 45 assists while Stubbs had a team hihg 22 digs.
The win improves Southwestern to 11-3 on the year and 3-0 in
SCAC play. They remain deep in conference action next weekend as
they head to the West/East Cross at Sewanee, TN beginning on
September 25th.