For three sets last weekend, the Southwestern University Pirates volleyball team went nearly shot-for-shot with the No. 6-ranked Colorado College Tigers before the Tigers' experience created separation.
A few days later, the Pirates took ASC West Division leader Mary Hardin-Baylor to five sets, alternating flashes of brilliance with youthful mistakes in a loss.
With a team comprised of mostly first years and sophomores, this has been a season of learning on the fly, alternating sets that show the potential to stand even with nationally-ranked opponents and still showing the growth still needed.
"We're practicing at a high level, training at a high level, I'm really impressed with our chemistry and commitment to getting better every day," Head Coach Don Flora said. "Right now, it's just about being able to understand the rhythm of a high-level match. To know, we're just as good, we just need to finish at the right time."
The Pirates currently sit in third place in the SCAC standings, trailing Colorado College and Trinity with a two-win lead over fourth-place Austin College and Texas Lutheran with four conference matches remaining, all taking place this weekend.
Statistically, Southwestern's conference rankings align with their place in the standings, sitting in third, fourth, or fifth in most categories. The Pirates are third in assists per set (12.09), hitting percentage (0.183), and kills per set (12.77). They do rank second in digs per set (19.31) and aces per set (1.88).
"We've been passing the ball really well," Flora said. "Our serve and pass game is kind of our strength. If we continue to serve it better and pass it better, we'll continue to put a lot of pressure on their offensive systems."
For the past few matches, the Pirates have had to tweak that offensive system on the fly, alternating between a 6-2 and 5-1 alignment with depleted depth at setter.
Lauren Crabtree has stepped in well as a six-rotation player whose all-around game was on display last weekend when she averaged a triple-double, earning the SCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
"We've had to make some adjustments and Lauren is really starting to get comfortable running the offense in a 6-2," Flora said. "She's finding the middles better and locating her sets to the outside hitters so Elleanna McGown and Emma White are in a better rhythm.
"Jess Mayer has developed a really good connection with Lauren, which adds to our offensive options."
Another tweak to the rotation is more time for senior outside hitter Landri Brown and first year outside hitter Jessica Kuras, who accounted for a career-high 12.5 points in the Pirates' last match against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
"Slowing down opposing outside hitters has been a point of emphasis," Flora said. "Going to the 6-2 with a bigger block with Landri and Jess has helped.
"Our middles need to be just a little better with their eyes and we've adjusted our defense a little to make it easier to funnel hitters to our defense. It's not always how many balls you block, it's about controlling where hitters hit."
Injuries have put the Pirates in an extended preseason of sorts, developing chemistry on the fly. With only seven matches remaining before the SCAC Tournament, including the final four conference matches this weekend, the Pirates are looking to make that final breakthrough.
vs. St. Thomas, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.
The Pirates lost in five sets in their previous match with St. Thomas on Oct. 6, committing 35 attack errors' to the Celts' 16 to offset their 20-kill advantage (69-49).
St. Thomas isn't spectacular in any offensive category, ranking ninth in the SCAC in kills per set (10.26), eighth in aces (54), sixth in blocks per set (1.47), and sixth in hitting percentage (.151). But they can make opponents work for their points, leading the SCAC in digs per set (20.78), led libero Kaylyn Latin, who leads the conference in digs per set with 6.68.
In doing so, they invite undisciplined teams into making errors.
"They're one of the better defensive teams, that's what they do," Flora said. "We need to make sure we stick to our game plan. Sometimes, attackers can get frustrated and try to do too much. Even if we have to take a second or third swing."
vs. Austin College, Oct. 26, 3:00 p.m.
Southwestern swept Austin College in three sets in their first meeting this season, getting double-digit kills from Brown, White, and Riley Brantley while holding the Kangaroos to a .132 hitting percentage.
Austin College is led by middle blocker Christine Royalty, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Corinth, Texas who leads the Kangaroos with 260 kills this season and 98 total blocks.
"They're a talented offense with a strong middle attacker who presents some problems for us," Flora said. "Blocking wise, we need to do the right things in our schemes."
vs. JWU (Denver), Oct. 27, 10 a.m.
Johnson & Wales University is at the bottom of the conference standings with an 0-13 conference record and 2-25 for the season.
Southwestern defeated JWU in three sets on Oct. 5, taking advantage of 25 JWU hitting errors to hold them to a -.019 hitting percentage.
They're led by outside hitter Brooke Paxton, a 5-foot-8 senior from Greeley, Colorado who ranks fifth in the SCAC in kills per set (2.99). She led her team with nine kills in the previous meeting between the two teams.
"They're getting better all the time," Flora said. "They have a talented middle and solid outside hitters. If we can stay on top of their best hitters, we should be able to keep their offense to a minimum."
vs. (9) Trinity, Oct. 27, 4 p.m.
The Pirates have another crack at a top 10 nationally-ranked opponent, looking to avenge an earlier loss to Trinity in three sets on Oct. 6.
Trinity has a powerful front row that ranks third in Division III in total blocks with 222.5, led by Emily Ellis (1.01) and Emma Funk (0.90), who rank first and third in the SCAC in blocks per sets.
The duo is efficient on the attack too, leading the SCAC in hitting percentage. Ellis' 0.400 percentage and Funk's .392 rank ninth and 10th in the nation.
"Their middle block is a good offensive threat for them," Flora said. "We need to know where they are and how they set them but we believe there are some tendencies we can use to manage their attack.
"We just need to learn the rhythm and momentum swings of what elite college volleyball is about. Our thought process of the next play, the next set, the next match."