Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DANVILLE, KENTUCKY – Southwestern University Volleyball went 1-1 Friday at the Centre College SAA pod, sweeping Oglethorpe University 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17) before falling to No. 10 Berry College in a five-set battle (25-21, 19-25, 27-25, 27-29, 11-15). The Pirates move to 15-7 and 6-4 in SAA play
 
MATCH ONE: SU 3, OU 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
 
Southwestern set the tone early in the opening set, using a 6-0 run to build a 12-7 lead before continuing to pull away. The Pirates stretched their lead to 21-11 and closed out the set 25-18. Tatum Ahrens led the way with four kills in the set.
 
The Pirates carried their momentum into the second set, despite falling behind 5-1 to start. SU used 6-0 run to take an 10-8 lead and never looked back. Izzy Rodriguez added a service ace during the run, while Madison Ingram, Ahrens and Evamarie Planchet each recorded kills. Southwestern continued to pull away, building a 20-10 advantage before closing out a 25-15 victory. Ahrens and Lucy Riggar finished with two kills apiece.
 
Southwestern completed the sweep in the third set, pulling away after a close start with a 7-0 run to turn a 5-4 lead into a 12-4 advantage. The Pirates maintained control the rest of the way, leading by as many as 10 points before securing the sweep with a 25-17 win. Southwestern recorded 15 kills while hitting .444 in the final set.
 
MATCH TWO: BC 3, SU 2 (25-21, 19-25, 27-25, 27-29, 11-15)
 
Set one saw six ties, with Southwestern playing from behind early, but withing reach throughout the early portion of the set. With the set tied at 18-18, the Pirates were able to create separating, using a 7-3 to take the set 25-21. Sophia Burke helped spark the late push with three consecutive kills.
 
Berry responded in the second set, pulling away after a close start to even the match with a 25-19 win. Southwestern stayed within striking distance but could not overcome a late run from the Vikings.
 
The Pirates took a 2-1 match lead after claiming the third set, which proved to be another back-and-forth affair. After Berry rallied to tie the score at 11-11, Southwestern responded with a 5-1 run to take a 16-12 lead. The Vikings fought back to force extra points, but a service error and a kill from Riggar sealed a 27-25 win for the Pirates.
 
Set four once again saw no separation as the two teams battled throughout. Down by as many as four, the Pirates stayed within striking distance and rallied from a 21-20 deficit to take a 23-22 lead, and the teams continued to trade points beyond 25. Berry ultimately pulled away to win 29-27 and force the fifth set.
 
In the deciding set, Southwestern held an early 4-2 lead before Berry answered with a strong run to move ahead 12-7. The Pirates cut the deficit to two at 13-11, but Berry held on to secure the 15-11 win and the match.
 
QUOTABLES
 
Head coach Don Flora on the Oglethorpe Match…
"It was good to see us find some rhythm as we needed to see some things we have been training and focusing on come to life in real match time. Having good offensive balance was a key. Also, we slowed some attacks with our blocking well."
 
On the match against Berry…
Two elite teams went to battle and we had opportunities, and match points in set four. It is tough to swallow when a play does not go your way or an interpretation does not go your way. Seeing elite volleyball played for extended periods of time is a sign that we are focusing on the right things and developing well in some key areas as a team. If we can continue compete at the net, point to point, good things will come from that type of hard work."
 
GAME NOTES

• The Pirates have now won 15 or more matches in three consecutive seasons.
• Riggar set a new career-high with 25 kills against Berry. It marks the first time she has recorded 20 or kills in a match. She finished the day with 31 after collecting six versus Oglethorpe.
• Caroline Srubar's 24 assists against Berry marks the 18^th time she has tallied 20 or more assists in a match.
• Ahrens (213) became the first Pirate player to collect 200 kills this season after finishing the day with 25.

UP NEXT
The Pirates return to action tomorrow after against No. 2 Centre College at 12:30 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on FloCollege.