The University of Dallas volleyball team kicked off Friday night with a win against Schreiner University (2-16), sweeping their way to victory with set scores of 25-14, 25-17 and 27-25. The game brought Dallas their 10th overall win this season, matching last season’s total wins, and their third win in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) games. Battling a series of ties throughout the last set, Dallas defeated the Mountaineers with the solid presence of the Crusader’s defensive specialists. Three of Dallas’ players amounted double-digit digs: Krystyn Pua, from Escondido, Calif., led with 17, Sarah Hughes,from Fair Oaks, Calif., added 13, and Ellise Anable, from Phoenix, Ariz., had 10.
“We came out with intensity and had the home crowd to back us up,” said junior Merit Paramo, one of Dallas’ middle hitters. “That environment always helps because it keeps us excited and communicating with one another. Our offense was successful this weekend, we were able to mix up our attacks so our opponent didn’t know what to expect.”
Dallas struggled in their next game of the night against Texas Lutheran University, losing the game with set scores of 25-14, 25-11 and 25-18. TLU started out each game strong, and out-hit Dallas offensively, with 15 more assists and kills overall.
On Saturday, the Crusaders battled against Trinity University, but were unable to pull out a win against the Tigers. Trinity University is ranked number 13 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Though each match started out evenly, Dallas was never able to gain a strong lead and fell in all 3 sets with scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 25-12.
“We can’t get comfortable with the success we’ve had so far; this is when the team needs to work our hardest so we can continue to excel,” said Paramo, when asked about the team’s focus for future conference matches. “Our season goes by quickly, so it’s important we work in practice with full intensity. If we compete and challenge each other in practice it’s only going to carry over to game time.”
Wrapping up the tournament Saturday night, Dallas finished with a sweep against Johnson and Wales University, winning with set scores of 25-22, 25-15 and 25-19. Dayjah Whyte, from Round Rock, Texas, and Abigail Porras, from El Paso, Texas, both led the team with nine kills. Dallas is now 11-7 for the season.
The UD volleyball season will continue on Tuesday, when they head to Moore, Okla. to take on Southwestern Christian College at 5 p.m. and Randall University at 7 p.m.
