Box Score SAN ANTONIO — The Rattlers were able to extend their winning streak Saturday, defeating Heartland Conference contender Newman in a five-set thriller, 3-2, backed by strong performances from
Melissa Heft,
Kelsey Huber and
Tarine Grace.
St. Mary's Volleyball powered in the first two sets, 25-17 and 25-20, and teased a sweep but the Jets took set three 25-15, capitalizing on an early lead. The Jets then took a highly competitive set four, 27-25, to force a set five which the Rattlers came out on top, 15-12.
With the five-set victory, the Rattlers move to a five-game winning streak and improve to 6-5 on the season and 4-2 in Heartland Conference play.
After recording the program's fifth-best kills in five-set match Friday against Texas Woman's, Heft (Sr., San Antonio) once again was a stalwart at the net, leading the match with 17 kills.
Huber (Sr., San Antonio) attacked from all corners Saturday, recording 11 kills, three total blocks and an impressive 24 digs.
The Rattlers also saw impressive play from freshman Grace (San Antonio) who recorded eight key kills and one block assist.
St. Mary's all-time digs leader
Victorria Martinez (Sr., Arlington, Texas) took her usual place as the match's digs leader, recording 27 digs against the Jets while
Kalyn Guthrie (Corpus Christi, Texas) led in assists with 28.
Lauren Slaughter (So., San Antonio) led with five total blocks followed by Laruen Holman (Jr., Rowlett, Texas) with four.
The teams mirrored their total kills with 59 while the Rattlers edgws the Jets (2-7, 2-5 in conference) in digs with an impressive 101 to the Jets' 81 as well as total blocks with 11 to the Jets' six.
The Rattlers start on a five-match road trip starting at 7 p.m. Thursday as they take on UA-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Ark.
