ST. EDWARD’S STOPS PIONEERS’ WIN STREAK AT 12

DENTON, TX—St. Edward’s University (24-6) hit at a .254 clip and recorded 11 team blocks en route to a 0-3 (28-30, 30-22, 30-21) victory over Texas Woman’s University (14-16). The loss marked the first time the Pioneers have been beat since Sept. 27 and ends a 12-match losing streak. The Hilltoppers extended their win streak to 14 matches with their second win of the season over TWU.

"The team played well at times, but our hitting was inconsistent and St. Edward’s did a good job of blocking our offensive attack. We had some chances to win, but we could not get any momentum," head coach Shelly Barberee said. "Courtney Lewis had another good match attacking the ball while Paz Diaz stepped up with some great digs. It is tough to lose after winning 12 straight, but we just have to put this behind us and get ready for Dallas Baptist on Tuesday."

TWU took control of game one early, thanks to a service ace and two kills from Jenny Madrid (Panama City, Panama/Hill College), and broke out to a 7-1 lead. They kept that six point margin through most of the frame, moving to a game-high seven point lead, 20-13, before SEU made their comeback. The Hilltoppers made six blocks and Erika Rigueiredo exploded with five straight kills to give SEU the win, 28-30. Game two was close in the early going as both teams exchanged the lead four times before the Hilltoppers went on a 7-0 run midway through the frame, making the score 10-16. Leticia Campos rolled off four straight kills as SEU took game two, 22-30. In the final frame, TWU recorded seven hitting errors and the Hilltoppers hit a match-high .333 as SEU never trailed, winning the game 21-30, and the match.

TWU finished the match with 41 kills and 19 errors on 112 swings for an attack percentage of .196. Courtney Lewis (San Antonio, TX/Panola College) led the team with 13 kills while Paz Diaz (Truth or Consequences, NM/N.M. Military Institute) totaled a team-high 10 digs. Meredith Fry (Burnet, TX/Burnet H.S.) averaged 11 assists per game to finish with 33 on the night. SEU had two players in double figures in kills with Figueiredo leading the way with a match-high 17 while Campos chipped in with 12.

Up next, the Pioneers play host to Dallas Baptist University on Tuesday, Nov. 4 for the final home match of 2003. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. and TWU will honor its two departing seniors, Marci Brinkman (Carrollton, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) and Heather Smith (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala H.S.).