(Photo courtesy of Joe Fusco of jfactionphoto.com)
SHERMAN, Texas - The fourth-seeded University of
Dallas Crusaders held off a furious rally from fifth-seeded Texas
Lutheran to earn a five set victory to open the SCAC Volleyball
Championship. Interactive
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The Crusaders (23-11) won a pair of sets to start the game, 26-24, 25-20, but the Bulldogs (19-13) with responded, winning a pair of sets of their own, 25-19, 25-18. It all came down to the fifth and final set, which Dallas dominated, winning 15-8 to move onto the SCAC Semifinals this afternoon for the first time in school history.
C.j. Broadbent, a second team All-SCAC selection, was phenomenal for the Crusaders, getting her teammates involved all game long wtih 48 assists and making a splash defensively as well with 19 digs. Mairin Guilfoyle led the way offensively with 15 kills to go with 10 digs while Cat Dowgwillo added 11 kills and 15 digs. Jessie Koster led all defenders with 30 digs while Jaime Birzer added five blocks.
For Texas Lutheran, first team All-SCAC selection Kristin Fording was outstanding, leading the way with 21 kills to go along with 24 digs while Brette Threadgill added 10 kills. SCAC Backrow Player of the Year Megan Lee led the defensive effort with 26 digs on the morning while Fording and Carlie Childres added four blocks each. Katie Darst led the way with 28 assists.
The Crusaders will be back in action this afternoon as they take on No. 1 seed Trinity University at 3:30 p.m. The Bulldogs will return to the court tomorrow as they take on the loser of No. 3 Colorado College and No. 6 Austin College at 11 AM in the 5th/6th place match.
