GEORGETOWN, Texas - The dynamic attack of Southwestern University's hitters were too much for a young Hardin-Simmons team to handle on Friday afternoon as the Pirates opened the 2011 season. SU easily won in three sets 25-13, 25-21, 25-12.
As the first set got underway Southwestern performed well, building a 10-4 lead. The only time Hardin-Simmons was able to get on the scoreboard was through Pirate mishits. SU's blockers kept HSU's hitters in check and forced the Cowgirls to move to a tip-centered attack. With all-things clicking on the Pirate front HSU was forced to take another timeout to attempt a comeback at the first set.
Needing just three points to secure the set one win SU wasted no time. Lindsay Thompson made a beautiful read on a kill to the deep right corner for the 23rd point and the Pirates closed it out with solid defense to win set one, 25-13.
Set two was a more even contest with the Pirates taking a slight advantage halfway through the frame, leading 12-10. After a few SU hitting errors the Cowgirls pulled the game even, 14-14, but a monsterous hit from Jill Wigington (pictured) broke the rally and pushed Southwestern back on top.
The teams traded points through the next 8 points then the Pirates took a crucial three-point lead on an ace by Allison Stubbs, setting the score at 21-18. A big kill by HSU down the line after the timeout seemed to give the Cowgirls a boost, but Stubbs responded with a kill of her own and Christina Nicholls follow with an ace to bring SU within two of the set two win. Taylor Wright's tip sealed the deal, 25-21, for Southwestern to go up 2-0.
Southwestern opened up the third set with momentum on their side, quickly building a 6-1 lead over HSU and forcing a Cowgirl timeout. The Pirates proved to be on a roll as they rattled off five consecutive points to build their lead to nine, 13-4. The experience of Southwestern was too much for the young Cowgirl squad to contend with as SU closed out the set and match with a 25-12 set three win.
Stubbs led the way on the night with a team high 11 kills and 13 digs. Thompson recorded eight digs and Wigington seven in the win. Nicholls posted at eam high 41 assists and two aces.
The Pirates head to San Antonio to face tough competition in East Texas Baptist and nationally-ranked Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday.
