Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CANYON, Texas – The St. Edward's volleyball team split games on Saturday sweeping SW Oklahoma State in three sets, 25-18, 28-26, and 25-19 then falling to #7 West Texas A&M in three, 14-25, 18-25, and 13-25.

Early in the first set against SW Oklahoma State (3-8), St. Edward's (5-3) went point-for-point with the Bulldogs. Tied 8-8, Hilltopper Ale'tra Ware had back-to-back kills followed by two errors from SW Oklahoma State that put St. Edward's up 12-8. The Bulldogs hoped for a run of their own but was shut down by the Hilltopper defense. Up by two, 17-15, a kill by St. Edward's HANNAH RAUCH sparked a short 4-3 run that kept the Hilltoppers up, 21-18. In the final points of the set, three different St. Edward's players collected kills with MARY MCNAMARA finishing off the set with a service ace, 25-18.

The Hilltoppers carried that momentum into the second set jumping to an early 7-3 lead over SW Oklahoma State led by MEREDITH BARD with two kills. The Bulldogs responded quickly with a kill of their own, but Bard came through with another kill and service ace to aid the five-point run for St. Edward's.  Down 16-8, SW Oklahoma State was finally able to string some rallies together with a 10-3 run to bring them within one, 19-18. The two teams would exchange leads before tying the set for the last time at 26-26. Two big kills by Bard and COURTNEY TREVINO gave St. Edward's the advantage to win the set, 28-26.

In the third set the Bulldogs were first on the board with four quick points but Hilltopper MARY KOEHLER answered with a kill and service ace in the four-point run to tie the set up. SW Oklahoma State's offense was held off by St. Edward's defense taking charge on the Bulldog hitting errors. Up by three, 19-16, Hilltopper Shannon Wilson sparked a 6-3 run with her three kills. Ware finished the set with her 12th kill of the match as St. Edward's won the set 25-19.

Ware led the offense with 12 kills. Bard and Wilson followed suit with 10 kills each. LOREN KELLY tallied 25 assists as Koehler accounted for six kills and 12 digs.

For SW Oklahoma State, Adriana Rodriquez had 10 kills and Lindsay Dusin with a double-double, 10 kills and 12 digs.

In their second match of the day the Hilltoppers fell to #7 West Texas A&M (10-1) in three sets.

The Lady Bluffs gained control early on taking a 7-2 lead in the first set. A kill by Trevino hoped to start a rally for St. Edward's but West Texas A&M's offense came up with six-straight points to add to their lead, 13-3. Down, 16-6, the Hilltoppers took advantage of four errors by the Lady Bluffs  but were unable to continue the run as West Texas A&M regained composure and went on to win the set, 25-14.

In the second set the Lady Bluffs scored first again, but this time St. Edward's would stay within reach tying the set early on. Unfortunately the Hilltoppers were unable to string rallies together as West Texas began to break away from St. Edward's. The lead proved too much for the Hilltoppers as the Lady Bluffs held on to their lead and took the set, 25-18.

In a must win set, St. Edward's looked to gain momentum in the third set to hold off the West Texas A&M offense. The Lady Bluffs were reluctant to allow the Hilltoppers to come within range and held St. Edward's to short rallies. Trevino led to offense collecting five kills in the third set but West Texas A&M would win the match with a 25-13 set victory.

For the match, Trevino tallied 11 kills and McNamara accounted for 21 assists.

Leaders for the Lady Bluffs were Halie Harton with 18 kills and Lacy Hayes with 42 assists.

The Hilltoppers will return to the Hilltop Thursday to resume conference play, taking on Arkansas-Fort Smith at 7 p.m. in the Recreation and Convocation Center.