'Roo Volleyball Opens SCAC Play With Pair of Wins

IRVING, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team picked up a pair of wins in its first two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference matches of the year on Saturday, topping both Centenary and the University of Dallas by scores of 3-1. The 'Roos are now 11-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

The 'Roos opened the day with a 25-18, 21-25, 27-25, 25-14 victory over Centenary, thanks in part to a .265 team hitting percentage compared to just .119 for Centenary. Olivia Linton, Riley Abernethy, and Samantha Graham each had 14 kills to pace the 'Roos, with Graham boasting a .361 hitting percentage and four block assists. Abernethy added 17 digs and five block assists, while Jaiden Tocquigny added 10 kills with a .375 hitting percentage and a team-best seven block assists. Laynie Kovacs paced the 'Roos with 32 digs, while Madison Manning had 36 assists and Brianne Tseng chipped in 19. Alyssa Holloway added 16 digs for Austin College in the victory.

Against Dallas, the 'Roos fell 21-25 in the opening set before bouncing back with a 26-24 set two victory. The third set was a battle throughout, with Austin College coming out ahead 30-28, but the 'Roos found another gear in set four, posting a dominant 25-11 win to seal the match victory. Graham had a career-best 19 kills to lead Austin College, adding 12 digs and a .295 hitting percentage, and TJ Folse had 13 kills and 10 digs. Abernethy chipped in 11 kills in the win, while Kovacs once again paced the 'Roos defensively with 26 digs. Holloway added 19 digs and Manning finished with 30 assists and 15 digs, and Tseng had 16 assists for the 'Roos.