GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern University's women's volleyball team fell to the University of Texas Dallas in the battle of nationally ranked teams on Thursday night. The Pirates came into the match ranked #18 while the Comets sat at #22. With the loss SU drops to 15-5 on the season while UTD improves to 15-2.

The Pirates came out strong mounting a 4-0 lead to start game one but the Comets used relentless rally continuing digs to pull even 6-6. Using more finesse than power Southwestern built a lead back to four, 13-9, and the Comets were never able to close the gap as the Pirates continued to pound the ball to a 25-18 win.

As game two got underway, the teams traded points with neither team gaining more than a two point lead through 16-16. UTD pushed points and pulled ahead by three, 19-16, at a crucial time forcing Southwestern to call a timeout. The comeback effort by Southwestern fell short as the Comets took game two, 25-22.

UTD maintained the momentum pulling ahead 10-7 before a block by Lindsay Thompson and Jill Wigington (pictured) gave the Pirates a 11-10 lead. Wigington followed the block with a well-placed roll shot that trickled over the net giving the Pirates some breathing room. The Comets wouldn't go away that easy, however, as they pulled back ahead 17-16. SU assumed the lead down the homestretch at 21-19 and seemed poised to take the match but UTD had one last fight in them, capitalizing off of Pirate errors to go ahead 23-22. UTD turned the comeback into reality to win 25-23 and go up 2-1.

The Comets jumped out to an early lead once again but a pair of kills by Lauren Brown brought the Pirates right back into game three. Hitting errors by Southwestern allowed UTD to come back into the lead by four, 19-15, and was too much for the Pirates to overcome as they ultimately fell 25-23.

Southwestern returns to the road and SCAC conference action on Saturday as they head to Jackson, MS for the West/Central Cross. Their first game is against host-institution Millsaps at 2:00 pm.