WAXAHACHIE, Texas – The University of the Southwest volleyball team opened its 2017 campaign with a convincing 25-13, 26-24, 25-18 sweep over Saint Gregory's (Okla.) University at the annual RRAC/SAC Crossover.
 
"We had a slow start in the first set. We went back and forth for the first half of the set but finally found our chemistry," USW head coach Angela Franke said. "Hannah Massey's energy and dominance at the net really helped push the team to finish the first set. Second set we again started off slow and played catch up the entire match. I'm so proud of how the team came together and never gave up.
 
The Lady Mustangs used a balanced attack to dispel the Cavaliers. Senior Shelby Bartley finished with a match-high eight kills to go along with a pair of blocks. The Canyon, Texas native also finished with a .333 hitting percentage.
 
"Offensively we were led by Shelby Bartley, and Tori Joiner," added Franke. "Even with a critical line-up error that took us from a 19-13 lead to a 17-14 lead, the team worked through the confusion and frustration to dominate the remaining points of the match to finish the game 25-18."
 
Reigning RRAC Setter of the Year, sophomore Brenda Pargas netted a match-high 14 kills assists, three digs and a pair of aces.
 
"Brenda Pargas really stepped up to control our offense," Franke said. "She made amazing connections with her hitters and helped lead the team to a set (second) upset of 26-24."
 
Junior Karina Grajeda added five kills and three digs, while Ashley Preuss helped with five kills and a block. Senior Jennifer Garcia played exceptionally well and tallied four kills and finished with a team-high .364 hitting percentage.
 
Junior Corina Madrid and senior Aimee Molina each collected double-digit digs, with 11 and 10, respectfully.
 
As a team the Lady Mustangs collected 32 kills, while committing 22 errors. SGU only netted 22 kills while committing 19 errors. As a team the Cavaliers hit a lowly .033.
 
In the nightcap, USW (1-1) lost 25-15, 25-7, 25-23 against SAGU, one of the two host teams.
 
Preuss added a team-high six kills and hit .313. Pargas provided a strong effort and collected 20 assists. Bartley finished with five kills and a block. Lacey Clutts added four kills and nine digs, while Hannah Massey notched three kills and two blocks.
 
The Lady Mustangs complete the crossover Saturday with matches against Texas Wesleyan University and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.