Box Score
SAN ANTONIO — In preparation for Saturday's big match against Lubbock Christian, St. Mary's Volleyball wrote down where it wanted to be in the Heartland Conference, and who needed to win and who need to lose in order to get there.
The Rattlers wrote the Chaps down as a must-win Saturday, and that they did.
The Rattlers fell just short in the first game, 21-25, but slammed back to win three straight 25-16, 25-16 and 25-18 to snap the Chaps' six-match winning streak.
With the win, the Rattlers have created separation for themselves in a very tight race to conference postseason play. Now at 6-5 in league play and 10-11 overall, St. Mary's was able to jump to No. 3 in standings, surpassing St. Edward's at 5-5 and Newman at 5-6.
Lubbock Christian fell to 8-3 in conference play and 11-8 overall and although statistically it is standing at No. 2 in the league, it will not be eligible for postseason play. Dallas Baptist is housing the No. 2 spot for postseason play with a 7-3 conference record, following No. 1 UA Fort Smith which is remaining dominant with a 10-0 league record.
"This was a really big win for us," said libero
Victorria Martinez (Jr., Arlington, Texas) who led the day with 33 digs. "We're at a point where we are trying to turn the season around. Even though Lubbock Christian can't qualify for the conference championship, they're blowing everyone out in our conference.
We needed this win really bad on our record so it was a really good win for us."
The Rattlers' statement win was backed by an impressive .305 team hitting percentage and stellar play at the net that kept LCU to a .133 hitting percentage.
Karlie Ortega (Sr., San Antonio) put up a powerful match, leading the day in kills with 14 and housing a team-best .481 hitting percentage.
Melissa Heft (Jr., San Antonio) and
Lauren Holman (So., Rowlett, Texas) each had 11 kills while freshman
Lauren Slaughter (San Antonio) played big for a team-high three block solos and three block assists.
In addition to leading the Rattlers in a strong defensive attack, Slaughter also led in service aces with three and had three kills.
Rachael Sccichitano (Fr., McKinney, Texas) led with 24 assists followed by
Mikayla Bass (So., Coppell, Texas) with 20.
The Rattlers will trek on a three-match road trip, first competing against St. Edward's at 7 p.m. Thursday in Austin, Texas.
