Bulldogs Fall Short in Five-Set Clash vs. #7 Colorado College

SEGUIN, TX -- In an instant classic, five-set thriller of a match, Texas Lutheran volleyball (18-12, 9-7 SCAC) fell just short at home in what was an electric atmosphere in Memorial Gymnasium against 7th-ranked Colorado College (28-4, 13-3 SCAC).

Sunday's regular season finale loss the Bulldogs' first loss at home falling to 5-1 at Memorial Gymnasium bringing their 10-game home win streak dating back to last season to an end.

The Tigers earned the win over the Bulldogs by scores of 23-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-9, 10-15. Despite the loss, Texas Lutheran out-hit Colorado College (.198 -.166) and had more digs (86-78), service aces (5-1), assists (53-520, and kills (59-56). The Tigers had the advantage in blocks (14-8).

Tanyse Moerhig-Woodard (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) had a team-high 15 kills on .224 hitting to go along with 8 digs, 2 blocks and an assist.

Maddy Schultz (Richmond/Needville) hit .458 with 14 kills and 5 digs. Senior outside hitter Kacie Hall (Buda/Hays) produced 10 kills on .259 hitting adding 4 digs and 2 block assists. Madison Weisinger (Friendswood/Friendswood) had a team best 3 blocks in addition to three kills.

Lexi Morris (Victoria/Victoria West) led the Bulldogs with 24 digs in addition to 4 assists and 2 aces. Senior Hayden Smyers (Needville/Needville) was everywhere, finishing the match with 7 kills and 16 digs. Shavonne Respondek (San Antonio/Madison) dished out 27 assists to lead the Bulldogs.

The first set was tightly contested throughout the beginning of the first set. With the score tied at 15, the Tigers gained momentum and seemed poised to run away with the set leading 24-19 for match point before a string of points from the Bulldogs brought the set to 24-23. The Bulldogs fought admirably but the Tigers were able to take the first set 23-25.

After falling behind 3-1 to start the set, the Bulldogs turned the game on its head, flipping the switch, and quickly found themselves with a 15-9 lead over the ranked Tigers who suddenly found themselves in a fight. The Tigers were never able to severely chip into the Bulldogs lead as they stole the second set 25-16.

The third frame tied three times in to start as the teams found themselves tied 11-11. Just when it looked like the Tigers may cruise to a third set victory after a 6-2 run, the Bulldogs were able to slowly creep back into the set but fell just short - dropping the set 21-25.

The Bulldogs responded in dominant fashion defending their home court in impressive fashion defeating the top 10 team 25-9 in the fourth set to force a decisive 5th-set.

Colorado College earned an early 4-0 advantage that would prove insurmountable for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs came within one point more than once throughout the set but could never bring the set to a tie or take a lead as they would drop the decisive set 10-15.

After the match, Texas Lutheran honored its two seniors, Kacie Hall and Hayden Smyers, celebrating their contributions to the program.

The Bulldogs now shift their focus to the SCAC Conference Tournament that will be hosted by Trinity University. Texas Lutheran has drawn the 4th seed and will face 5th-seeded Austin College Friday at 3:30 PM. All streaming and stat links can be found on tlubulldogs.com.