GEORGETOWN, TEXAS -  Southwestern University volleyball closed out its regular season on Saturday morning with a hard-fought 3–1 loss to Hardin-Simmons University in San Antonio, Texas. The Pirates battled throughout the match, finishing with a .236 team hitting percentage while the Cowgirls hit .266 in the four-set contest.

After dropping the opening set 25–18, Southwestern responded with an efficient offensive performance in the second frame, hitting .308 behind 16 kills to even the match with a 25–20 win. Hardin-Simmons regained momentum with a 25–23 win in the third set and closed out the match 25–22 in the fourth.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Freshman Chloe Blanchard powered the Southwestern offense with a match-high 17 kills, while Kendall Jurgens and Tatum Ahrens contributed 10 and nine, respectively

• At the net, Lily McWhorter, Brooklyn Spikes, and Blanchard each posted four blocks, providing a strong defensive presence at the front row

• From the service line, Lauren Baek led the way with three aces, and Taylor Johnson added one

GAME NOTES

• Annika Flora dished out 25 assists, and Johnson added 18 to keep the offense balanced

• Defensively, Ahrens anchored the backcourt with 12 digs, supported by Izzy Rodriguez with 11 and Flora with seven

UP NEXT 

• Southwestern will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Tournament. The Pirates, who earned the No. 2 seed, will face the winner of the matchup between No. 3 seed Berry College and No. 6 seed Rhodes College on Friday, November 14 at 4:00 p.m.