GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Behind a match-high 21 kills from SCAC Freshman of the Year, Giana Hilliard, fifth-seeded Schreiner University picked up its first conference tournament win in 10 years, defeating fourth-seeded University of St. Thomas, 3-2, and advancing to the 2023 SCAC Volleyball Championship semifinals Friday morning at the Corbin J. Robertson Center on the campus of Southwestern University. Official Championships Website | Photo Album | Tournament Stats | Interview w/ Schreiner Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin and first-year outside hitter Giana Hilliard
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In a back-and-forth match, that featured 27 ties and 13 lead changes across five sets, Schreiner fought back from down 2-1 to win the fourth set, 25-17, and the decisive fifth set, 16-14.
- St. Thomas led the fifth set 12-9 but after a Schreiner timeout, the Mountaineers rallied to take the next four points and a 13-12 lead. St. Thomas responded with two consecutive points and served for the match at 14-13. Schreiner responded with three straight points, including the 21st kill of the match by Giana Hilliard on match point, to earn the victory.
- Schreiner ended the match hitting .236 while St. Thomas finished at .184.
SCHREINER UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Giana Hilliard: 21 kills, 14 digs, 3 block assists, .392 attack percentage
- Brooke Byer: 17 kills, 24 digs, 2 block assists
- Taylor Braxton: 13 kills, 3 block assists
- Jenna Palomarez: 22 digs, 5 assists, 1 service ace
- Mia Moreno: 37 assists, 12 digs
- Harlie Gallaspy: 23 assists, 6 digs
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Audrey Cataline: 15 kills, 17 digs, 4 service aces
- Trinity Atkins: 14 kills, 5 digs, 3 block assists
- Karrington Kays: 9 kills, 1 block solo, 3 block assists
- Brenna Groenemann: 8 kills, 1 service ace, 3 digs, 1 block solo, 1 block assist
- Kendall Howard: 24 assists, 13 digs
- Mia Medina: 26 assists, 9 digs
NOTABLES
- This was the first meeting between the two schools in SCAC tournament play.
- Schreiner's victory as the fifth-seed marked the first #5 over #4 quarterfinal victory since fifth-seeded Austin College defeated fourth-seeded Dallas at the 2019 tournament.
- The 21 kills from Hilliard ties for the 10th most in a single SCAC tournament match in conference history.
- Schreiner's 69 kills are tied for the third-most by a team in a single SCAC tournament match. Their 67 assists are tied for the second-most.
- Schreiner's victory was only its second-ever in SCAC tournament play and its first since a 3-1 victory over Dallas at the 2013 championships.
- St. Thomas falls to 0-4 all-time in SCAC volleyball tournament action.
UP NEXT
Schreiner (20-12) advances to take on top seed, AVCA 13th-ranked, Trinity University (26-4), later this afternoon at 3:30 pm MT in the semifinals. Meanwhile, St. Thomas ends its season with a 17-12 overall mark.
