GEORGETOWN, Texas - The UT Dallas volleyball team started the 2024 season with a 25-18, 26-24, 25-21 loss to Southwestern (Texas) Thursday night at the Robertson Center.

The Comets (0-1) led in kills 12-11 in the first set, but the host Pirates (4-0) committed five fewer errors to take the opener.

The second set saw nine ties and four lead changes. UTD once again led in kills - 17-14. SU, who received votes in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Poll, led 23-21 late in the frame, but the Comets rattled three straight points to go up 24-23. The home team won the set after a service ace and two kills from Emily Marks.

The third set was evenly contested with 11 ties and four lead changes. Tied at 19-19, the Pirates won the match with a 6-2 run.

For the match, the Comets hit .165 with 43 kills, two aces, four blocks and 47 digs. Southwestern hit .271 on 41 kills, six aces, nine blocks and 48 digs.

UT Dallas Notes
- Freshman outside hitter Alina Strickler recorded 10 kills and eight digs in her collegiate debut.
- Sophomore middle blocker Laura See hit .286 one nine kills and a block. 
- Freshman setter Kira Braun was just shy of a double-double performance, coming up with 20 assists and nine digs.
- Sophomore Sydeny Sabin added 16 assists and four digs.
- Libero Mari Hernandez led all players with 19 digs.
- Middle blocker Bijou Duff recorded three blocks.

Southwestern Notes
- Marks hit .344 on 12 kills.
- Carly Berkman also had 12 kills, hitting .333.
- Christina Kuras added 10 kills and a pair of blocks.
- Annika Flora recorded 25 assists, 12 digs, three aces and four blocks.

Up Next
UTD will continue competition at the Southwestern Fall Invitational on Friday against Whitman at 11 a.m. The Comets will also play at Concordia Texas in Austin at 6 p.m. Friday evening.