GEORGETOWN, Texas — Southwestern volleyball won its third consecutive three-set match of the weekend, defeating the University of Dallas Crusaders in today's first match (25-15, 25-22, 25-14). 

The Pirates were dominant in the middle, with Riley Brantley and Andie Valenzuela performing nearly flawless volleyball, combining for 15 kills on 22 attacks with no errors. 

Valenzuela matched outside hitter Emma White for the team lead with 10 kills, scoring hers on a .667 clip and contributing two block assists. Brantley had seven kills with a .714 hitting percentage to go with three block assists. 

"The team and coaches were fired up to see the middle blockers all hit over .400 today. Having that kind of production and offensive balance makes things go more smoothly in the entire offense," Southwestern head volleyball coach Don Flora says. "[Setters] Claire Romo and Katelyn Whitehead are making good decisions on the offensive side of the ball." 

Romo led Southwestern with 22 assists while Whitehead had 16. The duo directed a Pirate attack that finished with 45 kills on a .297 hitting percentage. Southwestern also pressured Dallas with its serve, finishing with eight aces led by Whitehead's four. 

"We were aggressive at the service line today with eight aces in three sets," Flora says. "We continue to work on when to risk and when to keep the pressure on the opponent from the service line."

The No. 16-ranked Pirates improve to 19-1 with the win, including 9-1 in conference play. Southwestern will face No. 3-ranked Trinity in the second match of the day.