W-Volleyball Advances to 2nd Round

[SmooPower]

RENO, Nev. - Louisiana Tech put up a good fight but second-seeded SMU was too much as the Mustangs topped the Lady Techsters (26-30, 24-30, 27-30) in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament on Friday afternoon.

The loss marks the end of the career of senior Cristine Sant’Anna who posted nine kills and four digs with two aces in her final match. The senior ends her career among the school leaders in numerous categories including being third all-time with 1,435 kills and second all-time with 3.41 kills per game in her Lady Techster career.

Freshman Ambra Hayes led Tech (16-15) with 10 kills while Stacey Clark recorded a career high six kills in the match.

Kristen Fairbanks posted eight kills and came up with seven digs, both career highs for the freshman.

SMU (23-6) moves on to face the winner of the San Jose State-Fresno State match in Saturday’s semifinal round.

The Lady Techsters end the season with a 16-15 record, marking the first time since the 1995-96 campaigns that the program has posted back-to-back winning seasons.

Junior Lia Mora posted her 16th double double of the season with 36 assists and 12 digs.

Tech trailed early in game one, by a 5-0 score but battled back to tie the game at 19-19. SMU responded to score three straight and go on to win 30-26 in game one.

The teams battled back and fourth in game two and a kill by Sant’Anna cut the Mustang lead to one at 20-19. Tech could get no closer though as the Ponies took at two game lead with a 30-24 victory in game two.

Tech led 17-15 in game three after back to back blocks by Joy Okpa and Sant’Anna but SMU was too tough, going on a 9-2 run to gain control of game three before clinching the victory with a 30-27 game three victory.

[Mustangs35SMU]

GREAT JOB LADY MUSTANGS!! Win that WAC Title!!