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RECAP: UT Dallas (24-0) preserved its perfect record with a convincing 3-0 win (25-19, 25-18, 25-15) over Texas Lutheran in the ASC Tournament semifinals, earning a showdown with Hardin-Simmons in Saturday’s championship bout.
UTD was sparked by OH Amber Wetz, who tallied a match-high 15 kills and collected 16 digs. Dana Hilzendager also posted a double-double, recording 10 kills and 10 digs.
The Bulldogs jumped out to 3-0 leads in both Games 1 and 2, but the Comets stormed back in each. In Game 3, UTD had four separate 3-0 runs and limited TLU to just 15 points.
TLU’s Jessica Stetler had a team-high 10 kills, while Sarah Black added nine. Stetler and Black combined to total 25 in their first-round win over Mississippi College.
UTD and Hardin-Simmons will square off in the ASC Tournament final tomorrow (Sat. Nov. 7) at 2:00 pm.
Game #3
UTD wins 25-15
ANALYSIS: With the win UTD earns a championship match-up with HSU, winners of the ASC West Division. The Comets struggled early in Games 1 and 2, but etained momentum for a majority of the match. TLU couldn't free S. Black and J. Stetler on the outside, and UTD's interior was nearly flawless.
TLU 15, UTD 25
A. Wetz makes the final kill, then serves the final point. The Comets are 24-0. Still unbeaten.
TLU 14, UTD 21
An impressive block by TLU's M. Sagebiel. But the Bulldogs' chances are fading...
TLU 12, UTD 20
N. Calverly. ACE.
TLU 8, UTD 16
D. Hilzendager turns this small run into a devastating one (5-0), blocking J. Jahns on the far sideline. TIMEOUT Bulldogs, their last of the match
TLU 8, UTD 14
How many 3-0 runs is UTD going to have in this game?
TLU 8, UTD 11
J. Jahns, limited to five (5) kills through Games 1 and 2, gets back into the mix.
TLU 6, UTD 10
K. Irish's ace forces Coach Davis and TLU to take an early TIMEOUT. Another 3-0 run for the Comets -- their third of this game.
TLU 6, UTD 7
The Bulldogs are on a 3-1 run. J. Stetler is starting to heat up.
TLU 3, UTD 6
UTD responds with (another) 3-0 run. Surprise, surprise.
TLU 3, UTD 3
The Bulldogs manufacture a 3-0 run of their own. We could be in for a nip-and-tuck affair here in Game 3.
TLU 0, UTD 3
Finally, the Comets build a lead from the start of the game. Exactly what TLU
doesn't need.
Game #2
UTD wins 25-18
ANALYSIS: UTD's balanced offensive attack has proved effective -- and, right now, TLU doesn't seem to have any answers. But don't write the Bulldogs off just yet. S. Black and J. Stetler each have seven (7) kills, yet neither have had many opportunities at the net.
TLU 18, UTD 25
D. Hilzendager with a game-winning kill. UTD is merely one game away from notching their 24th win.
TLU 16, UTD 23
9-1 run for the Comets. TLU's hopes for evening up the match are sinking.
TLU 16, UTD 20
K. Irish exhibits her defensive abilities and blocks E. Denney. She sends home her fourth kill two plays later.
TLU 15, UTD 18
The Comets mount a 4-0 run. They're certainly scoring in spurts tonight. TIMEOUT Bulldogs.
TLU 15, UTD 15
M. Sagebiel overcompensates on a perfect set from A. Curry. The hit sails out of bounds.
TLU 14, UTD 13
J. Nassau ends a 2-0 Bulldog run. Her fifth kill -- a team-high.
TLU 11, UTD 10
J. Stetler's serve drops on the endline. An ACE. TLU reclaims the lead.
TLU 9, UTD 9
A 4-0 run for the Bulldogs.
TLU 4, UTD 7
A. Wetz connects on a cross-court hit, followed by an ace compliments of N. Calverley.
TLU 3, UTD 4
The Comets respond to a lackluster beginning with a 4-0 run.
TLU 3, UTD 3
K. Irish with two consecutive kills. She is tied with a team-high four kills so far.
TLU 3, UTD 0
Another sluggish start for the Comets?
Game #1
UTD wins 25-19
ANALYSIS: The Comets idled through the opening points, but used a 5-0 run to ignite a Game 1 win over the Bulldogs. A. Wetz and J. Nassau each registered four (4) kills, and D. Hilzendager added three (3). A tactful, all-around effort by UTD. How will TLU get J. Stetler more involved?
TLU 19, UTD 25
D. Hilzendager, a freshman, picks up the final two kills of Game 1. Moving on the Game 2.
TLU 18, UTD 23
D. Hilzendager and H. Williams team up for a block. This one's starting to slip away from TLU...
TLU 17, UTD 22
K. Irish with a tremendous dig. A. Wetz with a tremendous finish.
TLU 15, UTD 19
K. Irish electrifies the crowd with a kill down the left sideline. TIMEOUT Bulldogs.
TLU 15, UTD 17
J. Stetler registers her first kill of the match. So far, UTD has done a fine job at containing her.
TLU 12, UTD 16
J. Jahns is an All-Tournament candidate, regardless if TLU wins or loses. She has been fantastic. Another kill for the senior MB.
TLU 10, UTD 14
J. Nassau and N. Calverley cobble together a block. TIMEOUT Bulldogs. The Comets, despite a rocky start, are now on a 5-0 run.
TLU 10, UTD 11
A. Wetz tallies the Comets' last two kills, then rips an ACE.
TLU 10, UTD 9
J. Jahns finds the epicenter of UTD's defense -- and no one's there.
TLU 9, UTD 7
A rare service error from UTD's K. Irish, a former Honorable Mention All-American.
TLU 5, UTD 5
REJECTED. H. Williams evens up the score, recording a solo block.
TLU 5, UTD 4
J. Nassau smashes her second kill of the match. The Orlando, FL, native leads UTD in kills this season.
TLU 3, UTD 1
D. Hilzendager lofts a kill over the front row. UTD is on the board.
TLU 3, UTD 0
An inauspicious start for the undefeated Comets...
TLU 1, UTD 0
S. Black starts the match with a kill. TLU 1. UTD 0. Black had 11 kills in TLU's quarterfinal win over Mississippi Collge.