Southwestern University

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS – Playing in front of a large home crowd, Southwestern University Volleyball battled Concordia University through four competitive sets Wednesday night, earning a 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23) victory over the Tornados inside the Robertson Center. The Pirates move to 12-5 with the win.
 
Southwestern jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, building a 10-5 lead before Concordia cut the deficit to 11-9. The Pirates used 5-1 run to take a 16-10 lead before controlling the set the rest of the way to earn the 25-18 set win. Lucy Riggar led the attack with six kills in the set.
 
Concordia answered in the second set, taking a 15-8 lead after Southwestern battled the Tornados closely early on. Down 24-17, the Pirates chipped away at the deficit and pulled within two at 24-22 after a late push that included three consecutive Riggar kills. Concordia was however able to end the threat by tacking on the final point on an SU service error and tied the match at 1-1.
 
The third set was close throughout as Concordia led 10-7 before Southwestern fought back to tie the set at 15-15. Both squads continued to trade points as the set would be tied five more times. With the match tied at 20-20, SU pulled away with a 3-0 run to take a 23-20 lead before Concordia cut the deficit to 24-22. The Pirates secured the set on a Sophia Burke kill to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Southwestern opened the fourth set with a 5-0 run and led 10-6 before Concordia fought back. The Tornados eventually tied the set at 19-19, but the Pirates answered with a 4-2 run to take a 23-21 lead. After Concordia pulled within one, Southwestern finished the match 25-23 to secure the victory.
 
QUOATABLES
Head coach Don Flora on the victory…
 
"Having Tatum and Lucy carry a heavy load, it was good to see them handle that workload tonight. Their offensive effort was evident. Alta Wilson added some quality decision attacking when we needed it most. We continue to work hard defensively and that keeps things rolling well. We give Concordia a lot credit for playing a strong defensive match all night against us." 
 
MATCH NOTES

• SU tallied a season-high 59 kills.
• The Pirates also recorded 52 assists, which is a new season-high. 50 was the previous mark, which was done last week at Millsaps.
• Southwestern's 72 total points is a new season best and it's the first time the Pirates have surpassed the 70 mark this season.
• Riggar's team-high 16 kills mark a new career best for the freshman.
• Alta Wilson recorded a career-high 14 kills.
• Lauren McIntyre matched her season-high with three service aces.
• Burke registered four blocks for the fourth time this season.                                                                   

 
UP NEXT
The Pirates will be back in action this weekend as they are set to play three SAA matches at home. SU will take on Maryville College at 11 a.m. on Saturday followed by a match against Trinity at 5 p.m. The Pirates will round out their weekend with a match versus Sewanee on Sunday at 1:15 p.m.