Hear from Head Coach Scott Mattera and watch highlights: https://www.youtube.com/embed/vLB7wQOPcAQ?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ollusaintsathletics.com
The volleyball team hosted the San Antonio ShinDIG Tournament to open the 2021 season. Participants included fellow Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) member University of the Southwest (USW) and Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) school Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). The Saints defeated both teams on Friday and lost to SAGU on Saturday to finish the tournament with a 2-1 mark.
First match vs. SAGU
History
The Saints were 9-7 against the Lions prior to the tournament.
Basics
The Lions won the first two sets 25-21. Both teams battled back and forth in the third set. The Saints negated a match point with a kill from Camila Ramirez (FR/El Paso, Texas), and OLLU went on to win the third set 26-24. OLLU closed the fourth set with a two-point margin as well and forced the deciding fifth set.
SAGU jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the final frame. After multiple kills from Sadie Ballesteros (JR/Atascosa, Texas) and Daisy Cantwell (SO/San Antonio, Texas), the Saints evened the scored at nine. The teams traded points until the score was tied 12-12. OLLU completed the heroic comeback with two kills by Ramirez and a kill by Madalyn Gonzalez (SO/San Antonio, Texas) to win 15-12 and start the season 1-0.
Scoring overview against SAGU
Set One – SAGU 25 – OLLU 21
Set Two – SAGU 25 – OLLU 21
Set Three – OLLU 26 – SAGU 24
Set Four – OLLU 25 – SAGU 23
Set Five – OLLU 15 – SAGU 12
Set review
In the first set, OLLU recorded 14 kills and eight errors on 50 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .120.
The Saints had 12 kills in the second set and four errors on 33 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .242.
In the third set, OLLU recorded 12 kills and nine errors on 45 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .111.
The Saints had nine kills in the fourth set and four errors on 40 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .125.
In the fifth set, OLLU recorded 11 kills and three errors on 27 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .296.
On the offense
Overall, the Saints had 58 kills for a hitting percentage of .164. SAGU totaled 57 kills for a hitting percentage of .124.
Cantwell led the Saints with 17 kills. Alexis Mealer totaled a team-high 20 kills for the Lions.
Defensive standouts
OLLU had a total of 83 digs, led by Tina Trevino (FR/Laredo, Texas) with 18. Ava Myers tallied 23 digs for the Lions.
Serving it up
The Saints had seven service aces, led by Trevino with three. SAGU totaled nine service aces, with Riley Burcham tallying a team-high four.
vs. USW
History
The Saints are 19-4 against the Mustangs and won all four matches last season.
Basics
The Saints swept the Mustangs in a non-conference match on Friday. OLLU forced 17 errors from Southwest and led in team kills, total attacks and hitting percentage. Ramirez tallied 11 kills and 35 total attacks.
Scoring overview against USW
Set One – OLLU 25 – USW 19
Set Two – OLLU 25 – USW 19
Set Three – OLLU 25 – USW 18
Set review
In the first set, OLLU recorded 15 kills and four errors on 34 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .268.
The Saints had 11 kills in the second set and four errors on 31 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .226.
In the third set, OLLU recorded 12 kills and five errors on 26 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .269.
On the offense
Overall, the Saints had 38 kills for a hitting percentage of .255. Southwest totaled 29 kills for a hitting percentage of .126.
Ramirez led the Saints with 11 kills. Alexia Esparza totaled nine kills for the Mustangs.
Defensive standouts
The Saints had a total of 43 digs, led by Trevino with 12. Autumn Lopez tallied 12 digs for the Mustangs.
Serving it up
The Saints had seven service aces, led by Trevino and Madelynn Strzelczyk (SO/Marion, Texas) with two apiece. USW totaled four service aces, with four players recording one each.
Second match vs. SAGU
History
Following the win on Friday, the Saints entered Saturday 10-7 all-time against SAGU.
Basics
The Lions got the best of the Saints in the final match of the San Antonio ShinDIG Tournament. The Saints didn’t go down without a fight despite being swept. They lost by three points in the first set, seven in the second and two in the third. All three sets were competitive, and the Saints sit at 2-1 to start the season.
Scoring overview against SAGU
Set One – SAGU 25 – OLLU 22
Set Two – SAGU 25 – OLLU 18
Set Three – SAGU 25 – OLLU 23
Set review
In the first set, OLLU recorded 12 kills and eight errors on 54 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .074.
The Saints had 11 kills in the second set and four errors on 31 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .226.
In the third set, OLLU recorded 12 kills and five errors on 26 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .269.
On the offense
Overall, the Saints had 39 kills for a hitting percentage of .097. SAGU totaled 39 kills as well for a hitting percentage of .195.
Ramirez led the Saints with 15 kills. Myers totaled 11 kills for the Lions.
Defensive standouts
The Saints had a total of 67 digs, led by Trevino with 24. Tessa Glick tallied 23 digs for the Lions.
Serving it up
The Saints had five service aces, led by Ballesteros with two. SAGU totaled three service aces, with three players recording one each.
Up next
The Saints travel a short distance to play NCAA D3 Trinity University on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
