MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE – The Southwestern University Volleyball team wrapped up the Maryville College SAA pod with a 2-0 mark after defeating the Scots 3-1 (25-18, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22) on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Pirates to 19-9 and 10-6 in league play.
Southwestern opened the match with a strong offensive start, jumping out to a 6-1 lead behind kills from
Lucy Riggar and
Evamarie Planchet and a service ace from
Carly Caraway. Maryville responded with a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to 11-8, but the Pirates answered with a 3-0 run to gain distance. SU extended its lead to 20-10 before Maryville made another push, scoring five straight to pull within 20-15. The Pirates closed the set by taking five of the final eight points to secure the 25-18 win.
Tatum Ahrens led SU with four kills in the opening set.
The Pirates carried their momentum into the second set, building a 5-2 advantage before Maryville pulled within 5-4. SU responded with a 4-0 run and then took a 9-4 lead. The Pirates continued to build their advantage, pushing their lead to seven to 14-7 and later 19-9 behind kills from Ahrens, Planchet,
Alta Wilson and Riggar. Maryville made a late run, cutting the deficit to 22-15, but Southwestern held on to take the set 25-16.
Maryville responded in the third set, overcoming an early 5-2 deficit to tie the score at 5-5. The teams traded points before the Scots used a 5-1 stretch to take an 11-7 lead. Southwestern battled back, tying the set at 11-11 behind kills from Wilson and Ahrens, but Maryville regained the advantage and eventually moved ahead 14-11. The Pirates fought back to tie the score at 14-14, but the Scots pulled away with a 4-1 run to take an 18-15 lead. SU stayed within striking distance, but Maryville maintained its edge down the stretch to take the set 25-20.
Southwestern responded in the fourth set, taking an early 5-2 lead before Maryville worked its way back to tie the score at 7-7. The teams continued to trade points, with the Scots tying the set again at 10-10. The Pirates then found some separation, scoring five straight points to build a 15-10 advantage. Maryville chipped away at the lead and eventually tied the set at 19-19, setting up a tight finish. Riggar delivered back-to-back kills as SU moved ahead 21-19, and Planchet added another kill to make it 22-19. Maryville pulled within one at 23-22, but a service error gave the Pirates match point before
Sophia Burke registered a kill to secure the set and match win.
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QUOTABLES
Head coach Don Flora on the win...
" It was good to see us handle some pressure and evaluate how we go about our work when things aren't quite in rhythm. This will give us clarity on key areas for development and training in the coming days and weeks.Having
Izzy Rodriguez reach a cool milestone of 1,000 digs over these last three seasons makes for a special memory."
GAME NOTES
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NEXT UP
SU will be back in action a week from today as they return home to the Robertson Center for their final match of the season, against Mary Hardin-Baylor at 1:00 p.m.
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