GEORGETOWN, Texas — In the last home match of her collegiate career, senior Landri Brown came through with a season-high 12 kills to help push the Southwestern University Pirates volleyball team past Texas Lutheran University in four sets (25-15, 20-25, 28-26, 25-22).
Brown was one of four Southwestern players to finish in double figures in kills, playing a big part in the Pirates' victory on senior night, getting the start along with fellow senior Jazmin Howard.
The 5-foot-9 outside hitter showcased her experience throughout the match, halting Texas Lutheran's momentum in tense situations with big swings; hitting a brutally efficient .333.
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- Playing without first year setter Katelyn Whitehead, the Pirates split setting duties between first year Jess Mayer and sophomore Lauren Crabtree.
Pulling double duty as attacker and setter, Crabtree fell one kill short of a triple-double, producing nine on 32 attacks with 15 digs while tying Mayer for a match-high 27 assists. She also had a block assist and an ace to finish with 10.5 points.
- Crabtree and Mayer directed a balanced attack, especially in the first set in which the Pirates produced 18 kills on a .292 hitting percentage, distributing touches between Elleanna McGown, Emma White, Riley Brantley, and Brown.
White and McGown received the bulk of the workload, taking a combined 89 swings working from the outside and back row. White led the team with 15 kills (.200) and 15 digs while McGown totaled 14 (.136) and tied libero Ali Grona for a match-high 27 digs.
Their ability to get solid swings from tough positions helped change momentum between rallies. McGown also led the team with three service aces.
- The Bulldogs were able to set their block in the second set, totaling three and turning back several other attacks to hold the Pirates to an .083 hitting percentage to take it 28-26.
- Southwestern and Texas Lutheran had a back-and-forth third set. The Pirates struggled late against TLU's Bryten Mitchan (17 kills, .293 hitting percentage) with the tide turning upon her exiting during the Bulldogs' normal rotation and the Pirates scoring two consecutive points to closeout the set.
- Brantley found her rhythm late, finishing with 12 kills on a .346 hitting percentage, getting several kills out of quick sets up the middle before the TLU defense had an opportunity to react.
- Playing without first year setter Katelyn Whitehead, the Pirates split setting duties between first year Jess Mayer and sophomore Lauren Crabtree.
With the win, the Pirates improve to 11-6 on the season and 4-1 in conference play while Texas Lutheran University drops to 9-9 and 2-3. The Pirates will travel to Kerrville, Texas this weekend for conference matches against Austin College and JWU (Denver) on Saturday and St. Thomas and Trinity on Sunday.
