AUSTIN, TX – The University of St. Thomas' Volleyball team fell to East Texas Baptist University in three sets Saturday afternoon at the Deb and Don Christian Fieldhouse. The Celts dropped the match 0-3, with set scores of 19-25, 19-25 and 19-25. The loss leaves UST at 5-15 overall and 4-9 in Conference.
UST opened the first set by trading points with ETBU before taking a 4-3 lead on a pair of blocks from
Alexis Bodunrin and
Morgan Gardner. Gardner added a kill to put the Celts ahead 6-5, and
Ariana Willis joined
Jazilyn Davis and Randall for a block that extended the advantage to 7-5. UST continued to find points through its attack, with Willis contributing kills as the Celts built a 13-9 lead. ETBU
worked its way back and eventually evened the score at 14-14. The Celts continued to battle but ETBU pulled away to take the opening set 25-19.
Once again, the Celts kept the second set close early, tying the score at 1-1 before falling behind.
Jada Stallworth recorded a kill to bring UST within one at 3-2, but ETBU created separation with a scoring run, moving ahead 11-4. UST answered with points from its attack and defense, including a block by Haydari that helped bring the Celts to 12-8. UST continued to battle, with Haydari, Cataline
among others contributing points as the set progressed, but ETBU maintained its advantage and closed out another 25-19 set.
In the third set, UST responded after an early ETBU lead, tying the score at 3-3. UST later pulled even at 9-9 before moving ahead 10-9 on a kill from
Audrey Cataline. Cataline also recorded a service ace as the Celts continued to push for control. The teams traded points through the middle of the set, reaching a 16-16 tie. ETBU then put together a late run to create separation, and UST was unable to close the gap as the visitors secured the set 25-19 and the match.
UST finished with 23 kills, one service ace, seven blocks, 22 assists and 42 digs. Haydari led the Celts with five kills and three blocks, while Cataline and Bodunrin each added four kills. Stallworth recorded 11 assists and eight digs, and
Carly Lange led UST with 13 digs. This game concludes the UST Volleyball season.
