AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia University Texas volleyball team will continue its non-conference slate this weekend when it competes in the 18th Annual Austin College Classic in Sherman. The two-day tournament, which begins at 2 p.m. on Friday, features eight teams – Austin College, Bacone, Concordia Texas, Dallas, Southwestern, Southwestern Assemblies of God, Sul Ross State and Wheaton (Ill.).
The Tornados (2-1) will open the classic against Wheaton (2-3) at 2 p.m. on Friday before matching up with Dallas (2-2) six hours later. Concordia also will play Bacone (1-3) at 11 a.m. on Saturday before wrapping up tournament play against host Austin College (4-2) at 3 p.m.
The Tornados opened up the campaign last weekend at the Bulldog Classic in Seguin. Concordia swept St. Joseph's-Long Island and topped Texas Lutheran in four sets on the opening day before it was swept by Texas-Tyler in the finale a day later.
Seniors Emma Clifford and Sam Ladewig were named to the all-tournament team for their performance. Clifford paced the Tornados' offensive attack, hitting at a .396 clip while posting 22 kills and committing only one error in 53 swings. Ladewig handed out 51 assists (5.1 per frame) and recorded three service aces.
The Thunder opened the campaign by losing three of four matches at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational last weekend. However, Wheaton rebounded to Lake Forest on the road on Tuesday. The Thunder are hitting .192 as a team and average 12.21 kills per set. Shelby Knowles and Maddie McGinnis lead the way, as each are averaging 3.32 winners per panel.
The Crusaders split four matches while hosting the Dallas Invite last weekend in Irving. Dallas posted wins over Millsaps and Sul Ross State, while dropping two contests to Wisconsin-Superior. The Crusaders struggled on the attack during the tournament, hitting only .066. However, Dallas averages 14.67 digs and 1.57 blocks per frame.
The Lady Warriors opened the year with four consecutive Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) matches. Bacone managed a sweep against Mid-America Christian last Saturday, but lost to Oklahoma Wesleyan, Sterling (Kan.) and McPherson (Kan.). Despite the 1-3 start, Toree Misa'aelfua was named RRAC Setter of the Week after dishing out 120 assists (8.57 per set).
The Kangaroos enter this weekend's class on a four-match winning streak, which includes two victories against St. Gregory's and Jarvis Christian on Tuesday. Shelby Eaves was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Monday. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter averaged 5.19 kills and 2.25 digs per frame during last weekend's Cougar Classic.
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