AUSTIN, Texas – ELISSA STANTON tallied 13 kills, while KELLY JIMENEZ provided 20 digs and four aces to lead St. Edward's to a 3-0 sweep of UT-Permian Basin Thursday evening at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers bested the Falcons, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20.
 
UT-Permian Basin (5-13, 3-5 HC) opened the first set by winning the first three points. St. Edward's (6-10, 4-4 HC) responded with three kills from Stanton to spur them to a 6-1 run and a 6-4 lead. Both teams would keep each other close for the middle of the set. With the score tied, 13-13, the home team got back-to-back kills from Stanton and MARY KOEHLER to force a Falcon timeout. Out of the break, it was the serving of the Hilltoppers that helped them to a 10-3 set-ending run. The Hilltoppers had five aces down the stretch to secure the victory in the opening frame.
 
In the second set, the Falcons jumped out to a 6-3 lead on the strength of three kills from Hannah Rebb. The Hilltoppers responded with six-straight points to take the lead, 8-6. HANNAH RAUCH had three kills and St. Edward's produced three blocks during the spurt. With the score tied, 14-14, Stanton took over, pounding out three kills to lead the Hilltoppers to a 5-1 run and force UT-Permian Basin into a timeout. St. Edward's traded points from there and ANNA AYCOCK ended the set with a kill.
 
The third set had St. Edward's taking the early lead, 8-2. The Falcons clawed their way back in to the set with an 11-5 run that tied the match, 13-13. After a Hilltopper timeout, Stanton tallied a kill, KELLY JIMENEZ registered one of her four aces and AMY JONES pounded out two kills to give St. Edward's four-straight points and a 17-13 advantage. Down the stretch, Stanton tallied two more kills as St. Edward's took the set and match.
 
Stanton hit .476 and had three blocks. LOREN KELLY dished out a match-high 19 assists, while JACLYN BILLIE shared 14 of her own. Kelly and Billie also chipped in on the defensive end with eight and seven digs, respectively. TABITHA ELDER led the defense with eight blocks, while Rauch registered six blocks as well. Koehler had four aces and was second on the team with 12 digs.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they host Heartland Conference newcomer Lubbock Christian. First-serve is set for noon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic website.