Nov. 13, 2009

Courtesy of Southwestern

GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern University volleyball continued their winning streak in the first round of the NCAA South Regionals, defeating the University of Dallas 3-0.

Senior Sam Lingamfelter got things started and set the tone for the Pirates as SU rattled off three quick points to take an early lead. UD tied the game back up after a series of hitting errors by Southwestern to bring the game even at 4-4.

After holding onto a two point lead throughout most of the match Southwestern turned it up a notch to take control. A diving one-armed dig by senior Reese Cisneros helped set up a kill by senior Audra Gentry that hit within the 10-foot line and Cisneros followed that with an ace to put SU up 17-13 and force a UD timeout.

The Crusaders attempted a final run for the set but fell short as sophomore Jill Wigington snuck two kills just inside the end line to close out the game 25-18.

The Pirates jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the second set behind the blocks of sophomore Lindsay Thompson. With solid, consistent play Southwestern cruised through the rest of the set, winning 25-15 to go up 2-0 in the match.

With the wind at their back the Pirates set out on an all-out sprint to the win. SU pounced on the Crusaders taking a 12-2 lead, stuffing everything within their reach back across the net, seemingly fueled by the boisterous, involved crowd.

Behind of chant of ‘Let’s go, Bucs’ the Pirates closed out the match on a kill by first-year Kayla Saenger. Southwestern took the final set 25-8, winning the match 3-0 and extending their win streak to 31 matches.

The Pirates advance to the NCAA Regional Semi-final where they will face Maryville out of Tennessee who beat the previously undefeated University of Texas – Dallas Comets. Game is set for 7:00 pm at Southwestern University.