Box Score
SAN ANTONIO — St. Mary's Volleyball slammed in Bill Greehey Arena Thursday, notching a momentous victory over Newman in four sets.
The Rattlers played comeback throughout the match, bouncing back from a first set loss, 25-18, to win it 25-15, 25-19, 25-23.
The win holds heavy importance for the Heartland Conference Tournament race, as now the Rattlers can finish no worse than tied for fourth place. Thursday was a night of upsets across the conference, only helping the Rattlers further in clinching a spot for postseason play which only takes the top four teams in the league.
The conference's No. 1 team and formally undefeated UA Fort Smith was knocked off by St. No. 3 Edward's and Texas-Permian Basin lost to Lubbock Christian, pulling it further from the Rattlers in standings. St. Mary's is now sitting at the No. 4 spot, one game behind St. Edward's and two games ahead of UTPB, making every match for each contender a possible deciding factor of who advances to the tournament.
With only three games left in the regular season for the Rattlers, the race is on.
The Rattlers seemed fully aware of the pressure Thursday and its potential as a turning point in standings, performing well under the challenge to improve to 9-6 in conference play and 13-12 overall.
Jenna Paul (So., Alvin, Texas) led the Rattlers in kills with 14 while
Lauren Slaughter (Fr., San Antonio) was impressive on defense, recording five block assists and three block solos.
Lauren Holman (So., Rowlett, Texas) recorded 13 kills and
Kelsey Huber (Jr., San Antonio) and
Melissa Heft (Jr., San Antonio) each pulled away with nine kills.
Libero
Victorria Martinez (Jr., Arlington, Texas) led the night in digs with 32 as well as service aces with five while
Rachael Scicchitano (Fr., McKinney, Texas) led with 27 assists.
St. Mary's final home game of the season Saturday is a must-win as it faces Oklahoma Panhandle State, which is 0-15 in conference play, before the Rattlers face a tough final leg of the season. The Rattlers will play the No. 1 ranked UA Fort Smith and No. 2 ranked Dallas Baptist in their final two games of the season, both on the road.
The Rattlers will play OPSU in their Senior Day match at 12 p.m. Saturday at Bill Greehey Arena.
