The University of St Thomas Volleyball program extends their winning streak to nine. Closing out their annual Labor Day Tournament 4-0 the Celts traveled to University of Mobile for another four game weekend. The Celts racked up four more wins to tally the nine game winning streak and improve the Celts to 11-2 on the season.
RECAP
FRIDAY
The Celts opened the weekend with a five set win over Life University. The Running Eagles started the match low error with an aggressive offense, out hitting the Celts .184 to a .059. The second set the Celts took charge racking up 13 kills to the Eagles 6 out hitting them .182 to a .000. The Celts again took the third set off the Eagles out blocking them 4:0. The Fourth set the Eagles cleaned up their game only committing one attacking error, hitting a .286 to the Celts .132, forcing the deciding set. In the fifth set the Celts reached 8 first at the court switch, and lead the entire set closing out the match at 15-8.
Following a two game break, the Celts took the floor again to match up with the reigning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions, Xavier University of Louisiana. The Golden Nuggets finished 12-0 in conference and 23-3 last season under Head Coach Pat Kendrick, starting the 2018 receiving votes in the national ranking system. The Golden Nuggets took the first set off the Celts, in an even matchup. However, the Celts stayed focus and recovered from the first set loss, taking the next three sets, out hitting the Nuggets .252 to a .165. The UST win gave Xavier their second loss of the day, and the first time the Golden Nuggets have lost two in a row since 2016.
SATURDAY
The Celts started the morning with a four set win over William Carey University of Mississippi. The Lady Crusaders started the morning with a bang, coming out full force tacking up 17 kills in the first set to the Celts 8 hitting a .382 to the Celts .118. The Celts had a stronger counter to the WC attack, out blocking and digging the Crusaders, putting up 13.5 blocks and 68 digs, taking the next three sets to win the match. In the final three sets of the match the Celts hit an impressive .303 to the Crusaders .043, adding in 12 service aces on the match.
To close out the tournament the Celts played the hosting team, the University of Mobile Rams. Being in their home gym, the Rams fans filled seats quickly to cheer on the defending Southern States Athletic Conference Champions who finished the 2017 nationally ranked. The first set was hard fought and won by the Rams 25-21. Once again the Celts remained poised and focused, taking the next three sets. The Celts out hit the Rams in the final three sets of the weekend with a .305 to the Rams .137, hitting season high .458 in the third set.
"I'm really proud of this team, we have been on the road a lot this preseason, and to stay as consistent as this team has is a true testament to their focus. This was a competitive tournament, playing highly recognized programs, and every match took grit, something this team is showing more each game," said Coach Keanne Burt on the weekend. "This was a great tournament to help prepare us for an important conference weekend."
STANDOUTS
This weekend had the Celts seeing double; double doubles that is. The Celts had an impressive nine double doubles in the 4 matches this weekend. Brooke Garcia (SR/Spring, Texas) registered a double double in three matches with 12 kills 14 digs vs. Life, 14 kills 11 digs vs Xavier, and 16 Kills 14 Digs vs William Carey. Garcia also had a season high hitting efficiency vs William Carey hitting a .452. Bresha Orange (SR/Longview, Texas) and Hannah Westerlage (SR/Dickinson, Texas), and Kelsie Walker (SO/Baytown, Texas) all added in 2 double doubles each: Orange with 22 Kills 11 digs vs Life and 16 Kills 12 Digs vs William Carey, Westerlage with 23 Assists 11 Digs vs Life, and 21 Assists 15 Digs vs Xavier, and Setter Kelsie Walker with 16 Assists 10 Digs vs Xavier, and 12 Assist 16 Digs vs William Carey. Walker also had a season high of 9 Aces vs Life and tallied 18 Aces on the weekend. Middles Emily Jaroszewski (SO/Sugar Land, Texas) and Kayden Thomas (SR/Huffman, Texas) also set some season records: Jaroszewski had a season high of 6 Block Assists in both Xavier and William Carey with 22 total Block Assists, and Thomas had a season high of 2 Block Solos and 7 Block Assists vs Xavier with 17 Block Assists and 4 Block Solos on the weekend. Libero Lauren Fernandez-Miller (SR/Houston, Texas) had 78 Digs, and only 4 Reception Errors out of 128 attempts for the tournament.
UP NEXT
The Celts hit the road again to open Red River Athletic Conference play. Friday matching up against the Defending RRAC champions the Our Lady of the Lake Saints (3-6) at 6pm. Saturday the Celts Play RRAC second place finishers the Huston-Tillotson Rams (9-1) at 1PM at Austin Sports Center (Cedar Park location) at 1420 Toro Grande Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
