'Roos Top Ozarks and Fall to No. 2 ETBU

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team hosted both a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference match against the University of the Ozarks and a non-conference tilt against No. 2-ranked East Texas Baptist on Saturday, sweeping the Eagles 3-0 before falling 3-0 to the Tigers. The 'Roos are now 18-11 overall and 11-4 in conference play.

The 'Roos controlled the action throughout in the day's opening match against Ozarks, cruising to a 25-10 first set victory before the Eagles battled in the second, with Austin College coming out on top 25-20. The 'Roos clinched the victory with a 25-11 third set win, finishing the match with a team hitting percentage of .245, compared to -.069 for Ozarks.

Samantha Graham had a match-high 11 kills with zero attacking errors to pace the 'Roos, finishing with a .407 hitting percentage, and Selah Coleman had nine kills with a .600 attacking percentage. Madison Manning chipped in 20 assists and 12 digs, while Laynie Kovacs led Austin College with 25 digs, adding three assists and two aces. Austin College was dominant at the net, with 14 total blocks including four for Graham and three for Madisin Hartsfield.

Austin College came out fighting against the nation's second-ranked team, but ETBU was able to take a hardfought first set 27-25 before adding wins by scores of 25-17 and 25-18 in the second and third sets to make it a three-set sweep. Austin College got outstanding defensive play at the net once again, with 19 total blocks, including nine for Hartsfield, who also had four kills. Coleman paced the 'Roos with nine kills and Rachel Sadler added seven to go along with 12 digs, and Manning finished with 15 assists. Katie Riemer chipped in 12 assists in the loss.

The 'Roos wrap up the regular season at home on Sunday, hosting SCAC opponent Hendrix College at noon in Hughey Gym. Austin College will be celebrating Senior Day following the conclusion of the match, before the team turns its attention to next week's conference tournament.