HOUSTON,TX-- St. Thomas volleyball team battled Southwestern through five hard-fought sets inside the JAAC but came up just short (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 17-25, 15-8). With the result, the Celts move to 10-1 on the season.

In the first set, UST and Southwestern traded points early before a 3-0 run fueled by a kill from Noor Haydari and a block from Tasmine Maxwell gave the Celts a 12-9 lead. The Pirates stayed close, but kills from Alexis Bodunrin and Jazilyn Davis helped the Celts edge out a 25-23 win.

The second set opened with a strong 10-6 lead for the Celts after back-to-back kills from Brooke Barnes and an ace from Mia Medina. Southwestern responded with a 5-0 run to tie the set at 16, and the teams exchanged points all the way to extra play. Despite late kills from Davis and solid defense from Carly Lange, the Pirates closed out 27-25 to even the match.

In the third, the Celts raced out to a 7-1 lead behind three Bodunrin kills and a block from Haydari. Southwestern stormed back to tie 8-8, but Medina's balanced setting allowed Barnes and Davis to regain control. Late kills from Davis and Karrington Kays gave UST the push they needed to seal the set 25-22.

Southwestern flipped the momentum in the fourth. The Celts opened strong with a 6-3 advantage after a Willis kill, but the Pirates answered with an 8-1 run to grab control at 11-7. Despite defensive efforts from Lange and late swings by Bodunrin, Southwestern pulled away 25-17 to force a deciding fifth set.

The final frame started with Southwestern jumping ahead 5-2 before a block from Maxwell and a Willis kill brought the Celts within two at 8-6. The Pirates then used a 4-1 run to extend their advantage, and though Bodunrin added another kill to keep the Celts in it, Southwestern finished the set 15-8 to claim the match.

Bodunrin led the offense with 20 kills, while Barnes and Willis added 12 a piece. Medina distributed 32 assists, with Jada Stallworth contributing 22 of her own. Lange anchored the defense with 27 digs, and Bodunrin added 22 to her stat line.

Up Next
The Celts will continue their season next weekend as they start conference play. Stay updated with all things UST Volleyball at www.ustcelts.com or follow @USTAthletics and @ustwvball on Instagram and X.