Volleyball took care of business against SCAC rival #3 Southwestern by winning the match 3-1. This is the Celts' fifth straight conference victory, and first victory over the Pirates this season.

In set one, the Pirates forced the Celts to play behind from the first serve. This was not until a 5-0 run midway through the set gave the Celts a 16-15 lead. From there St. Thomas never looked back as they won the set 25-20. In set two, UST would score four on SU early. This lead gave St. Thomas the cushion to propel them the rest of the set. Southwestern would do their best to get back in the match forcing four ties, but the four points at the beginning were enough for St. Thomas to win 25-21. In the third set, the Pirates answered and saw their offense click as a 7-1 run midway through the set gave them enough points to win by a comfortable 25-16 score. In the fourth and final set, the Pirates would not go away. However, the Celt defense was able to hold as the offense showed clutch late to win by a close 25-23 margin capped off by a kill from Alyssa Ajlouny. 

Three Celts had nine kills in the matchup, as Trinity Atkins, Ashlynne Fitzgerald, and Alyssa Ajlouny led the offense. Emerson Sykes dished out 25 assists while Audrey Cataline had a stellar six service aces. Defensively, Sykes led with 19 digs, and Paige Havel had 4.5 total blocks. 

With this win, St. Thomas improves to 7-6 in the conference and is currently in fifth place. Up next, Volleyball returns home to face Dallas Christian and Howard Payne in non-conference matchups. Come out to Jerabeck Activity and Athletics Center at 12 and 6 PM to support your Celts!