AMARILLO, Texas – St. Edward's women's volleyball opened the 2021 season against the same team that knocked them out of the LSC Championship in the spring, but this time the Hilltoppers took the win, defeating UT Permian Basin 3-1 Friday.
 
UTPB roared out to an early lead in set one, 11-3, before the Hilltoppers got their footing and began to climb their way back into the match. Back-to-back kills by Loudes Gomez tied the set 16-16.
 
After trading points, SEU and UTPB were tied 22-22. The Hilltoppers took control, scoring four straight points to win 25-22.
 
SEU rode that momentum into the second set, winning the first 11 points. The Falcons attempted to recover but the deficit was just too large to overcome as St. Edward's took set two 25-23.
 
UTPB refused to go down without a fight and never trailed in the third set, winning 25-21.
 
The Hilltoppers refocused and jumped out to a 15-3 lead and never looked back to win the set and match.
 
Gomez led the way offensively for SEU, posting 15 kills. CAROLINE SWAN was close behind with 14 and had an impressive .407 attack percentage in the match. EMILY TRAN was outstanding running the offense, recording 50 assists, while also chipping in defensively with a team high 15 digs.
 
As a team, St. Edward's hit .234 on the afternoon with 65 digs and six blocks.
 
The Hilltoppers open the season with a 1-0 mark and return to the court at 7 pm to face Adams State.