RICHARDSON, Texas - Southwestern volleyball returned to non-conference play on Thursday but fell 3-0 to the University of Texas Dallas. 

Southwestern started out well as the two teams traded points through the early part of the first set, but the Comets pulled ahead with four straight points to lead 11-6. Another run brought the score to 17-10 in favor of UTD and the Pirates couldn't recover as the Comets won the opening set 25-20. 

In set two, SU pulled out to an 8-5 lead but once again UTD pieced together a run to pull ahead 18-12. Southwestern remained close, pulling within two points 23-21, but the Comets took advantage of Pirate errors to close out the set 25-22. 

The third and final set started as the first two with the Comets taking command early, leading 14-9. Nikkie Welch served six straight points for SU to give the Pirates a one point lead 15-14, but were unable to retain the momentum as UTD charged back to win 25-21. 

Southwestern hit just .147 as a team and was led by Kaitlyn Fosters 11 kills. Chandler Lentz posted 20 digs in the loss. UTD's Abbie Barth led all attackers with 13 kills while the Comets hit .230 as a team. 

The loss drops SU to 13-7 on the year while UTD improves to 13-6. Southwestern returns to SCAC conference play this weekend as they travel to Seguin for rematches with Trinity, Texas Lutheran and Schriener.