'Roos Cap Regular Season with Big Win Over Hendrix

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College volleyball team wrapped up the regular season and celebrated Senior Day in style with a big 3-2 victory over Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Blue Division-leading Hendrix College on Sunday, avenging a five-set loss to the Warriors earlier this year. The 'Roos head into the conference tournament with an overall record of 19-11, and locked up the No. 4-seed with a 12-4 conference mark.

Austin College got off to a strong start with a decisive 25-18 win in the opening set before the Warriors took total control in set two, evening things up with a 25-12 win. The 'Roos scored the first five points of the third set, but Hendrix rallied and ultimately took a 2-1 lead with a 25-21 victory. Austin College forced a fifth set by taking the fourth by a score of 25-19, and the 'Roos held off a late comeback bid in the final set, taking it 15-12 to clinch the match.

The 'Roos hit .216 as a team, compared to .213 for the Warriors, with Rachel Sadler notching a team-high 17 kills and Samantha Graham adding 12. Sadler also had 13 digs, two service aces, and three block assists, and Madisin Hartsfield chipped in nine kills and built on her league-leading totals across the board with blocks, registering eight total blocks including three solos. Hartsfield finishes the regular season as the SCAC leader in block solos, block assists, total blocks, and blocks-per-set. 

Selah Coleman had seven kills for Austin College, adding six digs, and Madison Manning led the 'Roos with 28 assists. Katie Riemer had 18 assists in the win, and Abby Sadler chipped in nine digs. Austin College will take on No. 5-seed Colorado College in the opening match of the SCAC Tournament, which will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday on the campus of Schreiner University. The winner will advance to take on No. 1-seeded St. Thomas later that afternoon at 4:00 p.m.