SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Southwestern won three of four matches over the weekend, falling only to #6 California Lutheran. The wins improve Southwestern to 8-4 on the year.
The Pirates opened the weekend with a big three-set win, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21, over Concordia University. SU as a team posted a .226 hitting percentage and was led by Kaitlyn Foster's .367 hitting percentage. Her 16 kills and 16 digs were also team highs.
After a strong opening match Southwestern turned around to take on #6 Cal Lutheran in their second game of the tournament and were in every match but were beat to the finish, falling 25-21, 25-20, 25-20. Rachel Thibodeau led the attack with 13 kills on 33 attempts while Foster was close behind with 10 kills. Chandler Lentz was all over the court and did all she could to keep CLU's attacks at bay, recording 20 digs in the loss.
Day two Southwestern continued to face tough competition, first taking on #5 Emory University. It was apparent early that this was going to be a tight match as the first two sets went into extra points and each team taking one set. Emory took a slight 2-1 advantage by winning the third set 25-23, but the Pirates edged out the fourth set 26-24 to even the count and force the fifth. SU pulled ahead and then held onto the lead to win 15-12 and take the match 3-2.
Thibodeau led with 13 kills while Foster was just behind with 10. Lentz once again posted 20 digs while Thibodeau added in 19 and Foster 18. Lorin Foretschel was outstanding at the net, leading Southwestern with nine blocks. Lacey Strickland posted 44 assists and a team high five aces while Meredith Rollins added in four aces.
To close the tournament the Pirates had a rematch with UC Santa Cruz who defeated SU in straight sets in their season opening tournament. SU wasted no time taking control, winning the first set 25-22. UCSC eked out the win in the second set 25-23 before Southwestern regained control and cruised the rest of the way, winning sets three and four by 25-18.
Thibodeau and Froetschel led the offensive charge with 14 and 11 kills respectively. Lentz continued to pace the defense with 26 digs while Foster added in 22. Olivia Drummond and Rollins posted five blocks each to lead SU.
Foster and Lentz earned All-Tournament Team selections after their outstanding weekends. Lentz led in digs, averaging 5.33 per set and Foster was second on the team in kills, kill percentage and digs.
Southwestern comes home for the first time this season this weekend to open SCAC conference action. They open with Austin College on Friday night at 7 p.m.
