The University had to cancel this tournament last year due to Hurricane Harvey so the Celts missed the opportunity to start the season in front of their home crowd in 2017. Eager to make up for lost time, on day one of the annual Celts Labor Day Tournament the Celts added two wins to their record putting them at 5-2 on the season.

RECAP

Friends University

The Celts opened the tournament matching up against the Friends University Falcons (2-1) of Kansas. Building an early lead of 15-9, the Celts charged ahead to take the first set 25-19, out hitting the Falcons 18-13 with a team efficiency of a .292. The second set started with the two teams trading points until a Celts timeout was called at 8-10. The Celts worked to get back into the match tying the score at 11-11, then again at 12-12. The Falcons went on a 5 point run resulting in another Celts timeout at 12-17. A Celt Kill out of the time out rallied the comeback to within one and forced a Falcon time out at 17-16. Out of the time out a falcon net violation tied the score back up at 17-17. The falcons answered back taking a three point run on the Celts getting to 20-17 lead. The set looked as if the Falcons had what it took to edge out the Celts but an attack from Emily Jaroszewski (SO/Sugar Land, Texas) put the momentum back on the Celts taking the second set 25-23. Starting the third set the Celts again struggled to take a lead, trading points with the Falcons up to 10-10. The Celts took charge of the match, but the Falcons worked to extend the rallies and chipped away at the Celts lead to tie the match again, forcing the Celts time out at 18-18. From here it was a battle to the finish, each team trading shots and digs to keep the rallies long. It was finally an Ace from Kayden Thomas (SR/Huffman, Texas) that ended the match 25-22 for the Celts to sweep the Falcons.

Dillard University

In the second match of the day the Celts took on the Dillard University Blue Devils. To start the match, the Celts mounted a 9-1 lead forcing the early time out from Dillard. Keeping the lead the entire set the Celts finished 25-15 over the Blue Devils. In the Second set the Blue Devils worked to keep the Celts within reach never letting the Celts break away with more than a three point lead, until a Kill from Bresha Orange (SR/Longview, Texas), behind Brooke Garcia (SR/Spring, Texas)'s service run put the Celts up 21-16. The Celts kept the lead and ended the set on a Dillard error 25-18. The Celts again dominated the third set of the match, leading by as much as seven points. A Dillard time out at 15-20 couldn't kill the Celts momentum finishing the match 25-17 off an Ace from Hannah Westerlage (SR/Dickinson, Texas).

STANDOUTS

Senior outside hitter Bresha Orange put up a career high 23 kills in the Celts win over the Falcons. While Brooke Garcia and Emily Jaroszewski added in 13 and 10 kills to the Celts 54 total. Lauren Fernandez-Miller led the defense with 19 digs, and the pair of Celts setters, Hannah Westerlage and Kelsie Walker put up 23 and 21 assist in the three set win. The Celts also added up 10 service aces.
In the Win over the Blue Devils, Bresha Orange, Brooke Garcia and Kayden Thomas lead the offense, with Setter Hannah Westerlage leading with 20 assists.