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.
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 |