SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Trinity University jumped out to a 2-0 lead but had to hold on to take a hard-fought 3-2 win over Texas Lutheran University and advance to Saturday's championship match of the 2013 SCAC Volleyball Tournament. Interactive Bracket | Official Website | Photo Gallery
The 14th-ranked Tigers looked at first like they were on their way to a sweep and an easy road to tomorrow’s final, but Texas Lutheran rallied to force a fifth set. Trinity won 25-13 and 25-19 to start things off, then the Bulldogs battled out a pair of 25-22 wins to force a winner-take-all set.
Texas Lutheran took a 4-2 lead early in the final frame, but the Tigers bounced back with five consecutive points to take control. The Bulldogs fought to the end, though, cutting the lead to 12-11, 13-12, and 14-13 before Trinity finished off the victory.
Three Trinity players finished with double-doubles in the match. Maryn Swierc handed out 31 assists to lead the Tigers, as well as recording 13 digs and three service aces. SCAC Player of the Year Maggie Emodi scored a team-high 14 kills and 23 digs, while Layne Hubbard had 10 kills and a team-best 27 digs. Erika Edrington added 21 assists and nine digs, while Shannon Courtney recorded 18 digs and three aces. Erin Cusenbary finished with 13 kills and a match-high six blocks, while Emodi and Kelsey Daniel finished with four blocks each.
Manda Martin led Texas Lutheran with a solid double-double, collecting 13 digs to go with a match-best 43 assists. Brette Threadgill finished with a match-high 17 kills, while Vanecia Spencer finished with 15. SCAC Backrow Player of the Year Megan Lee had 27 digs, while Megan Dugie also stood out with her 25 digs in the match.
Trinity advances to tomorrow’s SCAC Championship match, and will face off against either #2 Colorado College or #3 Southwestern University at 7:00 p.m. Texas Lutheran will face the losing team in the Third/Fourth Place match at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
