Southwestern University

MARSHALL, Texas – The Southwestern University Volleyball team closed the ETBU Tiger Invitational with a 2-1 record after falling to No. 4 East Texas Baptist University 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 18-25, 21-25) on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates move to 6-3 on the season with the loss.
 
Southwestern jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the opening set behind key kills from Evamarie Planchet and Alta Wilson. ETBU then used 6-0 run to take a 14-9 lead and led the rest of the set despite the Pirates pulling within three multiple times, winning 25-18. SU recorded eight kills in the set, as Planchet and Wilson added two each.
 
The Pirates answered in the second set with an 8-1 run to take early 8-1 lead. Southwestern continued to control the set and led 19-16 before using 6-1 run to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-19 set win. Tatum Ahrens and Sophia Burke added three kills apiece.
 
ETBU used a 6-1 run to start the set before Southwestern pulled within one at 10-9. The Tigers responded with a 6-1 run to extend their lead to 16-10 and held off a late Pirate run to go up 2-1 after a 25-18 win.
 
The fourth set was tight early on, with Southwestern taking a 13-12 lead before ETBU used a 6-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Pirates were able to cut the deficit to two at 19-17 behind kills from Planchet, and Kendall Jurgens. The Tigers created separation with a 22-17 lead, but SU did not quit, pulling within three at 24-21. ETBU then closed out the match with a 25-21 set victory. Planchet again led the Pirates with four kills, while Ahrens added two kills and an ace.
 
QUOTABLES
HC Don Flora on Today's Match
 
"Today's match against ETBU was a high-level matchup for us. It was two quality programs making plays throughout each set, which made for a battle. We did some things in our game plan and we give credit for a few ETBU players for making some critical plays in long rallies. We are continuing to see this team grow and develop in important areas as our blocking systems and serving are making strides each match and each day. This type of match helps us learn and grow as individuals and as a team."
 
MATCH NOTES

• Evamarie Planchet finished with 14 kills, marking the sixth time this season that she has tallied double-digit kills.
• The Pirates recorded a season-high 10 service aces.
• Carly Caraway finished with a career-high three service aces.
• Caroline Srubar registered 35 assists and has now collected 35 or more assists in four matches this season, including each of the last three matches.

 
UP NEXT
The Pirates return home Tuesday, Sept. 22, for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against Texas Lutheran. The game will be streamed live on FloCollege.