Story courtesy of Southwestern Sports Information
RICHARDSON, Texas – For the first time since 2009 the Pirates have made it to the NCAA Regional Final, advancing with a 3-0 win over Colorado College Saturday.
Midway through the opening set the Tigers pulled ahead by two, but fortunes turned and the Pirates seized control to lead 21-18. SU went up by five, 24-19, before CC pulled a late rally and closed the gap to just one, 24-23.
A well-placed timeout by head coach Don Flora refocused the Pirates who then closed the first set on Kate Mitchell's kill.
Southwestern dominated set two, jumping out to an early 13-7 lead they would never relinquish. The Pirates hit .292 for the set with just three errors en route to the 25-19 set two win.
It seemed the Pirates were playing their best and yet they reached even deeper and came out blazing in the third set. Southwestern hit .304 in the final set while holding CC to .159. SU led by six, 21-15, and seemed to have the match in hand until a final Tiger run closed the gap. Colorado College came within four, 23-19, before Yu's kill gave SU their 24th point and Kirby Kincannon sealed the win with Southwestern's third ace of the match.
The Pirates improve to 32-4 on the season and head to the NCAA Regional Final to face UT-Dallas on Sunday.