Box Score SHERMAN, TX (10.27.09) – Three days after reaching the 20-win plateau—in as many games—the Comets made a little more school history on Tuesday night.
UT Dallas preserved its unbeaten record with a convincing three-set win (25-19, 25-20, 25-16) over Austin College, a program the Comets had never defeated in the six-year history of the program. UTD entered Tuesday's non-conference tilt with an 0-9 all-time record against the Kangaroos, who now belong to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
UTD is now the only NCAA Division III team in the nation without a loss.
“Firsts are always great,” said sixth-year UTD coach
Marci Sanders. “We sat back and told them to do what they needed to do, and we executed to a tee.”
The Comets (21-0, 15-0) sputtered out of the gate, but quickly bounced back and ended the first set on a 9-1 run that was capped by a
Jessica Nassau kill. Nassau continued her stellar play one set later, hammering another kill and posting one of her four blocks to give the Comets a 3-0 lead they wouldn't surrender. The junior standout recorded 12 kills throughout.
Amber Wetz sparked UTD's offense for the remainder of the match, compiling five of her team-high 13 kills in the final set. She also chipped in defensively with 11 digs. Reigning ASC Defensive Player of the Week
Melanie Power led the Comets with 16 digs, while Kyleigh Irish and Niki Calveryly added 15 and 12, respectively.
UTD's slow start mirrored the way it played against Austin in 2008—a game where the Comets collapsed after winning the first two sets against the Kangaroos. This year, despite dropping to fifth place in the SCAC, Austin (23-10, 9-6) built a 9-0 record against ASC opponents before losing to McMurry and Hardin-Simmons last week.
“We like to try and get some of the stronger SCAC teams scheduled late in the season so we're ready for the postseason,” said Sanders.
The Comets will finish their regular season with a pair of home games this weekend before hosting the ASC Tournament next week. They will face off with UT Tyler on Thursday, followed by the finale against LeTourneau University on Saturday.
BOX SCORE
