SAN ANTONIO — The No. 16-ranked Southwestern volleyball team utilized a balanced attack to open Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament play with a 3-1 win over the University of St. Thomas Celts. 

Setters Katelyn Whitehead and Claire Romo combined for 44 assists, directing an attack that had three Pirates finish with double-digit kills on better than .200 hitting. 

Middle blocker Andie Valenzuela controlled the net, putting down 11 kills on a .476 hitting percentage with a solo block. All-SCAC Second Team selection Lauren Crabtree had 10 kills on a .318 clip, and freshman Christina Kuras had 10 kills on a .222 hitting percentage in her first postseason match.

"The coaching staff is proud of how the team handled this match. We took care of business as a team and won together," Southwestern head volleyball coach Don Flora says. "We had three attackers in double-digit kills, and that balance helped us tremendously in the fourth set. In addition, we defended well behind our block throughout the match." 

Libero Ali Grona and outside hitter Emma White showed why they were all-conference selections with 16 and 14 digs. White also contributed nine kills on a .219 hitting percentage with three block assists and three service aces. 

St. Thomas was led by Paige Havel, who had 17 kills on a .382 hitting percentage as the only Celts player to finish with double-digit kills. 

Southwestern advances to the SCAC Tournament semifinals, where the Pirates will face the No. 7-ranked Colorado College Tigers tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.