#7 Pirates survive and advance to NCAA Final Four

#7 Pirates survive and advance to NCAA Final Four

OSHKOSH, Wis. – With a 3-2 win over Tufts University the Southwestern Pirates have advanced to the NCAA Final Four on Friday night at 7:30 pm.  

Southwestern hit .211 in the first set while holding Tufts to just .077 to win 25-21. Jamison Duck and Piper Sisemore each logged five kills in the set while Andie Alford had a monstrous 13 digs.

WATCH: SET ONE WINNER

Tufts again took an early lead in the second set but the Pirates were able to battle back to take a slight lead. The Jumbos rattled off three straight points to lead 21-19, but Haley Moffett's kill evened the count once again 21-21 and set up a run to give the Pirates the win 25-21 on Kate Mitchell's ace.

WATCH: SET TWO WINNER

With their backs against the wall Tufts came out with big swings to win sets three and four, fending off late set runs by the Pirates.

In a position they are very familiar with the Pirates confidently opened the fifth set, leading 4-1 early. A well-placed timeout by Tufts refocused the Jumbos and kept the match tight, but SU could be held off no longer as they won the final set 15-13.

WATCH: MATCH WINNER

Southwestern advances to the Final Four and will face the winner of the Washington (Mo.) and Mary Washington match. Game time is set for 7:30 pm.

WATCH: POST-MATCH INTERVIEW

LEADERS

#7 Southwestern (34-4)

KILLS

19 - Jamison Duck

ASSISTS

26 – Nikki Welch, Sydney Rochelle

DIGS

31 – Jamison Duck

ACES

2 – Megan Grimes

BLOCKS

3 – Kirby Kincannon

TEAM HITTING %

.179


Tufts (27-4)

KILLS

13 – Brigid Bell

ASSISTS

28 – Angela Yu

DIGS

34 – Kelly Klimo

ACES

3 – Kelly Klimo

BLOCKS

6 – Elizabeth Ahrens

TEAM HITTING %

.141