SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Day one at the Trinity National Invitational was no easy ride for the Pirates as #10 Southwestern took on #7 St. Thomas and #8 Carthage. SU won the first match against St. Thomas 3-2, but stumbled in the second match falling 3-0. The Pirates sit at 8-1 on the year after the split.
Southwestern started hot, posting a .385 team hitting percentage in the first set against #7 St. Thomas en route to a 25-23 win. St. Thomas was shocked into action and easily won set two, 25-11 over the Pirates. Set three went to SU 25-20 and after a long, drawn-out battle in the fourth set St. Thomas brought the game back even with a 28-26 win.
The Pirates were able to win the fifth and final set on a total team effort, forcing the Tommies into six attack errors and a -.038 hitting percentage while posting a .286 team hitting percentage.
Allison Stubbs and Lindasy Thompson had 12 kills each to lead the Pirates while Taylor Wright was close behind with 11. Christina Nicholls posted 42 assists, 10 digs and two aces while Sarai Tenerelli was once again all over the floor with 27 digs.
There was no rest for the Pirates as they turned around immediately to face #8 Carthage. The Pirates just couldn't find a rhythm as they posted a negative team hitting percentage in set one and a zero hitting percentage in the second set as Carthage started the match out up 2-0. SU attempted a come back, playing a more characteristic style of ball, but were ultimately defeated in three sets; 25-15, 25-19, 25-21.
Thompson was tops with eight kills while Nicholls had 21 assists and a team high 16 digs.
Southwestern returns to the court tomorrow to face Texas Lutheran and Occidental to close out the Invitational.