AUSTIN – Coaches are constantly saying defense wins championships and that was on display Thursday night as the St. Mary's team buckled down after a first set loss and came back to win in four, 22-25, 27-25, 27-25, 25-23.
The Rattlers (10-6, 4-5 Lone Star Conference) amassed 106 digs and 11 total blocks in the victory over St. Edward's (9-7, 4-5 Lone Star). Senior outside hitter
Alissa Tolbert (San Antonio) collected a career-best 33 digs, while both senior middle blocker
Julia Deais (San Antonio) and sophomore outside hitter
Lindsey Ogle (Houston) posted seven blocks.
The 106 digs are tied for the third-most digs in a four-set match in school history, knotting the 2010 and 2012 clubs.
Junior libero
Gabi Sandoval (San Antonio) had 21 digs, freshman
Leah Cruz (San Antonio) recorded a career-high 17 digs and freshman setter
Cali Nims (Corpus Christi, Texas) tallied her second-straight double-double with 13 digs and 34 assists.
"I am so proud of the heart and determination this team showed to pull out a win against a really tough St. Ed's team," said Head Coach
Laura Ulrich. "It was a battle from start to finish and they continued to show up for each other through the entire match. While it wasn't the offensive match we wanted, our defensive pursuit was incredible."
Tolbert also led the team with 17 kills, while sophomore
Julia Aleman (San Antonio) and Ogle each chipped in eight.
"
Alissa Tolbert continues to fight for her team and had yet another incredible match," Ulrich stated.
Both teams hit under .100 for the match as StMU edged the Hilltoppers, .087 to .068.
After four ties and two lead changes in the first set, the Hilltoppers edged out the Rattlers, 25-22. Tolbert led the way with four kills, while Aleman and senior middle blocker
Rachel McDonald (Indianapolis, Ind.) each chipped in three.
The Rattlers dug themselves a big hole in the second set, 20-11, but battled back for the 27-25 win. The team hit .000 in the set, but were hitting negative at the 20-11 point. Over the final 21 points, they recorded five kills with three errors.
The third set was won by the identical 27-25 score after seeing four ties and two lead changes. Manitzas served back-to-back aces to secure the set win and she had three in the set. Tolbert posted six kills with no hitting errors, while Cruz led the way with seven digs.
In the fourth and deciding set, the teams went back-and-forth with seven ties and three lead changes. The last tie was at 20-20 and Aleman finished the match with a kill off the block on the left side for the team's second-straight victory.
"As a coach, I can't say enough how proud I am of the effort we showed tonight," Ulrich concluded. "We need to continue to press on."
The Rattlers remain on the road, traveling to UAFS next Friday, Oct. 22 and then have a rematch with Oklahoma Christian on the 23rd.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM NOTES
- Senior OH Alissa Tolbert added another double-double to her career totals and now has 38. She notched 17 kills and 33 digs for her 13th double of the season.
- Freshman DS Leah Cruz, seeing her first extended action of the year, tallied a career-high 17 digs.
- Tolbert recorded a career-high 33 digs, bettering her 28 at Texas-Permian Basin on Oct. 2.
- Freshman S Cali Nims notched her second-straight double-double and the third of her career with 34 assists and 13 digs.
- The 106 digs by the team is tied for the third-most in a four-set match in school history. It is the third time in the last four matches the Rattlers have topped the century mark in digs.
- All 13 players who dressed for the match saw action in at least one set.
