Posted: Aug 30, 2019
The Southwestern University Pirates volleyball team won its second match of the day, defeating the Whittier College Poets in three sets (25-21; 25-13; 25-12).
Southwestern suffocated Whittier defensively through strong work on the ground with 47 digs, and in the air with 14 block assists, limiting the Poets to a negative hitting percentage in two of the three sets, holding them to a .000 for the match.
- First Year middle blocker Riley Brantley was sensational with 12 kills on 18 attacks with just two errors for a team-high .556 hitting percentage (minimum five attacks). She also recorded 3 block assists to finish with a team-high 14.5 points.
- Brantley and first year setter Katelyn Whitehead showed sparks of chemistry with Whitehead finding Brantley on the move repeatedly, helping the Pirates' leader in kills find openings in the Whittier defense. Whitehead finished with a match-high 33 assists to go with seven digs.
- Lauren Crabtree continued to showcase her well-rounded skill set, digging nine balls with nine kills on a .444 hitting percentage, three block assists, and three service aces.
- Middle Blocker Ashley Whitlock provided several momentum-shifting plays, keying big runs with monster blocks (three assisted) and deflections at the net.
- The Pirates once again showed an ability to pressure opponents with the serve, catching Whittier off-guard with several shallow offerings. Crabtree led the way with three aces and Elleanna McGown had two while contributing to several long runs with serves that kept the poets off balance.
- Libero Ali Grona led the match in digs with 14 in just three sets.
Southwestern will resume action on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. with a match against Carthage before closing out its Fall Invitational with a match against Whitworth at 5:15 p.m.