AUSTIN, Texas—The St. Edward's volleyball team defeated Dallas Baptist University 3-1 Thursday evening bringing its season-opening win streak and school record to 9-0.
 
In the first set, the two teams traded the lead continuously until they were deadlocked, 10-10. Dallas Baptist then made a run to go up 22-15. Although the Hilltoppers came within five points, Dallas Baptist would end the set 25-20.
 
St. Edward's came back firing in the second set, holding the Patriots to a score of 16 and a hitting percentage of .064. The home team won the set 25-16.
 
Dallas Baptist refused to go quietly, however. St. Edward's and Dallas Baptist tied a total of 10 times in the third set, making it an intense contest going point-for-point even down the final stretch. Tied at 23, an attack error by Dallas Baptist and a kill by Amy Jones would lift St. Edward's to a 25-23 victory.
 
The final set saw tremendous Hilltopper defense as the Patriots were held to just seven kills. St. Edward's registered 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .379. They would finish the set 25-13 to win the match.
 
Loren Kelly led the team to victory, collecting 37 assists, seven digs and five aces. Hannah Rauch recorded 18 kills while Mary Koehler registered a double-double with 12 kills and 22 digs. Kelly Jimenez finished with a team-high 28 digs.
 
When asked how he felt about his team's unbeaten 9-0 record, Coach Sean Donahue noted that the Hilltoppers "have been playing with a lot of confidence and focusing on one game at a time."
 
St. Edward's volleyball team competes again Saturday afternoon against also unbeaten University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at noon in the Recreation and Convocation Center. The match will determine the new Heartland Conference number one seed. For live coverage and statistics, visit the St. Edwards Athletic Website.