DENVER – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas picked up their first-ever Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory Saturday with a three-set sweep of Johnson & Wales (Colo.).

The Celts finished their day in the Rockies with a record of 1-1. They started Saturday with a heartbreaking five-set loss to Austin College.

Due to inclement weather in the greater Houston area brought on by Tropical Storm Imelda, the Celts were unable fly to Denver in time to play matches that were scheduled for Friday at the first SCAC divisional weekend. The Celts were scheduled to play Trinity (Texas) and Texas Lutheran.

The Celts play open the home portion of their schedule Saturday, Sept. 28, when they host SCAC opponent Centenary (La.). Match time is scheduled for 3 p.m.

CELTS 3, JOHNSON & WALES 0

The Celts salvaged a Saturday split with a hard-fought sweep of Johnson & Wales. Scores of the match were 25-21, 27-25, and 25-18.

Kaje Massenburg (SO/Arlington, Texas) led the Celts (3-6, 1-2 SCAC) with 10 kills and hit .308 for the match. Alaina Lanik (FR/Richmond, Texas) had eight kills and 13 digs for the Celts, while Kelsie Walker (JR/Baytown, Texas) tallied five kills, 13 assists, and 12 digs.

Defensively, the Celts were led by Kaylyn Latin (JR/Houston, Texas) (19 digs) and Emily Jaroszewski (JR/Sugar Land, Texas) (four total blocks, three kills). Rebecca Estrada (SO/Richmond, Texas) handed out a team-high 16 assists for UST.

AUSTIN COLLEGE 3, CELTS 2

The Celts opened the day with a loss to Austin College. It was the second consecutive match in which the Celts jumped out to a 2-0 match lead before falling in five sets.

Scores of the match were 23-25, 16-25, 25-15, 25-20, and 15-11.

Lanik led the Celts with 15 kills in the match, followed by Jaroszewski, who knocked down 13 kills and tallied five assisted blocks. Trinity Atkins (FR/Austin, Texas) put away seven kills, followed by five kills from Courtney Bates (FR/Humble, Texas).

The defensive effort was led by Latin's 29 digs, followed by Lanik (15 digs), Alysse Villadiego (SR/Richmond, Texas) (14 digs) and Kelsie Walker (12 digs). Estrada made her season debut and handed out 14 assists in addition to recording nine digs.