SHERMAN, Texas -- The Southwestern University Pirates volleyball team continued its momentum with a three-set victory over Johnson & Wales University Denver (25-13, 25-13, 25-23).
Southwestern set the tone in the first set, opening with six consecutive points and scoring 12 of the first 14. The Pirates had 12 kills on a .476 hitting percentage, finishing with 41 kills for the match on a .300 clip.
The Pirates also had four of their seven aces in the set, continuing to use the serve as a weapon to pressure opponents.
"Staying clean and efficient offensively was an area we wanted to focus on as a team," Head Coach Don Flora said. "And our passing made a lot of that happen, which was also a valuable focus for the team."
Outside hitters Emma White and Jessica Kuras led the Pirates with 11.0 and 8.5 points, continuing their string of strong performances.
White led the team with nine kills on 18 attacks with no errors, hitting .500 with seven digs and two aces. Kuras had eight kills on 17 attacks, hitting .353 with a dig and a block assist.
Setters Lauren Crabtree and Jess Mayer orchestrated a clean, balanced attack once more as the Pirates utilized the full extent of its bench.
Crabtree had a team-high 23 assists with seven digs and five kills on a .556 clip in her dual role as attacker and setter. Mayer had 10 assists with three digs.
Riley Brantley established the Southwestern block with three solo blocks and Ali Grona anchored the defense from the back row with 19 digs. Joelle Zoolkoski had four kills on nine attacks on a .444 hitting percentage.
"Seeing the joy and positive emotional additions and production additions by everyone that competed was satisfying to see for all of the team," Flora said. "Being ready when your number is called is getting better and better each match."
With the win, the Pirates improve to 19-11 on the season and 12-5 in conference play. Southwestern will play Trinity University at 4:00 p.m.