Austin, Texas - The University of St. Thomas Volleyball team took to the court for Day 2 of the SCAC Volleyball Crossover in Austin, Texas, facing Texas Lutheran and Concordia in a pivotal doubleheader. Saturday also marked the final day of the regular season of volleyball. Like most of the season, the day was full of mixed results. UST fell to the Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs 3-1 but bounced back with a 3-1 victory over the host Tornadoes of Concordia University.
Match 1: UST vs. Texas Lutheran
In the first match of the day, St. Thomas faced Texas Lutheran, a formidable opponent with an impressive 18-7 record. The match began with a tight first set, where both teams exchanged leads. However, the Bulldogs found their rhythm and surged ahead, claiming the set 25-17. The second set mirrored the first, as the Celts kept the match close until Texas Lutheran rallied late, winning 25-16.
With their backs against the wall, the Celts dug deep in the third set. After a slow start, they found their groove, going on a 9-0 run to dominate the set 25-14. But Texas Lutheran wasn't about to let the match slip away. In the fourth set, they regained control, sealing the match with a 26-24 win to claim the 3-1 victory.
Laynee Beam led the attack for the Celts with 8 kills and 2 blocks, contributing 10 points. Audrey Cataline continued her strong performance with 16 kills and 16.5 points. Kendall Howard played a crucial role in setting up the offense, tallying 25 assists and 15 digs. Alexis Bodunrin contributed 14.5 points, including 16 kills, with a hitting percentage of .393. Kara Spice helped with 38 digs on the defensive side, showcasing the team's defensive resilience.
Match 2: UST vs. Concordia
In the second match of the day, the Celts faced Concordia, a team struggling with a 7-18 record. The first set was a battle with constant lead changes, but the Celts seized control late, claiming the set 25-15. The second set was much tighter, with Concordia fighting back to make it a nail-biter. However, St. Thomas held firm and pulled away at the end, winning 25-23.
The third set saw Concordia's energy surge, and the Tornadoes fought back to win the set 25-23. But the Celts were determined to end the day with a victory. They dominated the
The fourth set shut down Concordia's attempts to extend the match and finished strong with a 25-14 win.
Laynee Beam again led the team with 4 kills, 3 blocks, and 9.5 points. Audrey Cataline was another standout, leading with 13 kills and 16 points. Alexis Bodunrin posted 16 points, including 16 kills. Kendall Howard tallied 19 assists and 15 digs, helping set up the offense, while Mia Medina added 20 assists and 6 digs to the team's efforts.
Up Next
The Celts head to Sherman, Texas, for the SCAC Volleyball Tournament, where they'll face off against Colorado College in the quarterfinals at 1:00 PM. For details about the 2024 SCAC Volleyball Tournament, go to www.scacsports.com. Stay connected with all the updates by following @USTAthletics and @ustwvball on Instagram and X.
