GEORGETOWN, Texas – Despite out-hitting the Tigers, Southwestern dropped their conference opener 3-2 on Friday night.

Southwestern shot out of the gate early, using a 7-0 run to take an 8-3 lead in game one. The Pirates held the lead throughout the set and closed game one confidently, 25-17.

Set two started tight and continued that way throughout as neither team was able to pull away by more than a couple of points. Southwestern had the largest lead of the set, 12-9, after Kaitlyn Foster's kill, but Trinity quick responded and scored four straight to snag the lead back 13-12.

The lead traded hands five times until Trinity ultimately seized control at the last moment, scoring three straight to take set two 27-25.

Things fell Trinity's way in the third set. The Tigers took control midway through the frame and never relinquished the lead, closing out the third set 25-19.

Southwestern regrouped and refocused to absolutely dominate the fourth set, allowing Trinity just 14 points in the frame to win 25-14 and force a fifth set.

Trinity posted the first two points of the fifth set and it proved to be just enough of a lead as Southwestern was never able to get the lead back in the grasp, falling 15-12.

Southwestern had 63 kills and a .161 attack percentage in the match while Trinity had just 58 and a .133 attack percentage. Trinity dominated at the net defensively, however, posting 18 blocks in the game.

Foster led the Pirates with 17 kills while TU's Maggie Emodi led all attacker with 22 kills. Foster also had a team high 29 digs and Nikki Welch 34 assists. Kirby Kinncannon had four of Southwestern's 10 blocks and Abbie Robb added in 3.

Southwestern falls to 7-6 on the year and 0-1 in the SCAC while Trinity improves to 9-4 and 1-0. SU faces Schreiner and Texas Lutheran on Saturday to close out the SCAC Group A Divisional.