GEORGETOWN, TEXAS -  The Southwestern University Volleyball team faced their hardest competition yet, Illinois Wesleyan University who is currently ranked #16 nationally. The Pirates gave it everything they had but ultimately fell in three sets to the Titans. Senior Emily Marks and sophomore Izzy Rodriguez were both named SU Invitational All-Tournament Team for their performances over the weekend. Marks stat line for the weekend was twenty-nine kills, hitting .336 for the tournament while also collecting five block assists. Rodriguez racked up thirty-nine digs, seven assists and two service aces for the weekend. 

Head Coach Don Flora shared his post game thoughts with us stating "Getting off to a good start is always of high value versus a complete team like IWU.  Their pace and ability to keep pressure on us point to point was impactful early in set one.  We felt like we handled the start of set two well and then let one point turn into two points too quickly. Izzy Rodriguez handled the load in serve receive and we need to be able to win the key part of the serve and passing game better throughout the line up. This is an area where we can really develop and grow as a team. Staying aggressive and staying in rhythm offensively is something we did in spurts. We can and will take a look at this and truly grow in our learning."

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Senior Emily Marks tied the team high with six kills and hit a .143 for the game with three errors

• Defensively, Izzy Rodriguez tallied thirteen digs for the match

• Lily McWhorter collected five kills for the Pirates, adding one solo block and one block assists against the Titans

GAME NOTES

• The Titans out killed the Pirates 38-25, hitting 28% for the match

• Chloe Blanchard had the lone ace for the Pirates

UP NEXT

• The Pirates are on the road as they travel down to San Antonio, Texas where they will compete in the St. Thomas Invitational on Friday & Saturday September 12th and 13th.
   

• MVP - Taylor French - #6 Illinois Wesleyan
• Elenor Palmer - #14 Illinois Wesleyan
• Hannah Tellor - #12 Illinois Wesleyan
• Emily Marks - #5 Southwestern
• Izzy Rodriguez - #7 Southwestern
• Randi Rush - #11 Puget Sound
• Maddie Badger - #25 Puget Sound
• Ryann Ely - #14 Texas Lutheran