GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Pirates jumped out at the gate and
ran away with their match against Hardin-Simmons University,
winning in three straight games, 3-0.
In game one, Southwestern came out hot as they built an
insurmountable 16-2 lead thanks to well placed roll shots and big
kills. A solid blocking core kept the Cowgirls from ever becoming a
threat as SU held HSU out of double digits, dominating game one
quickly 25-7.
Game two saw lengthy rallies as the Cowgirls dug multiple kills of
the Pirates until Audra Gentry snuck one through a block and Ali
Zein-Eldin followed with one down the line. HSU pulled within one,
8-7, after an ace by Madison Reyes but SU responded and after a
poorly received ball by the Cowgirls that went over the net,
Lindsay Thompson drilled it back just beyond the ten foot line to
put SU up 13-8.
After a called timeout by HSU they pulled back within one, 17-16.
Southwestern called a timeout of their own but were unable to stop
the Cowgirl’s run and fell behind 19-18. After a second time
out and a few big digs by the back line SU went up 23-22. A block
by Gentry and Taylor Wright forced a double hit by HSU to give
Southwestern the 25-23 win.
Game three was a back and forth match as well with the Pirates
maintaining a narrow lead throughout the majority of play. The
Cowgirls pulled it even at 15 but Southwestern persisted and was
able to push out to a three point lead, 22-19. Hardin-Simmons would
not quit and pulled back even at 23-23. A kill by Thompson gave SU
the lead and serve and they were able to close out the match after
a great dig by Sam Lingamfelter and a hustling Zein-Eldin set up
Thompson who put it away.
Sophomore Christina Nicholls had a spectacular all-around
performance. Her 37 assists led the team and she was tied with
Thompson for the most blocks with four. Thompson was the kills
leader for Southwestern with 12 while Gentry and Wigington were
close behind with nine each.
The Pirates continue action in the Southwestern Invitational on
Saturday as they take on Concordia at 2:00 and Wiley at 6:00.
