September 17th, 2009
Box Score
(Photo of Amanda Curry (setting) and Jamie Jahns (9) by Drew Engelke)
SEGUIN, Texas – The Texas Lutheran Bulldogs began pursuit of a fourth consecutive American Southwest Conference West Division crown with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-20 victory Thursday night over Hardin-Simmons.
At TLU’s Tostengard Activity Center, the Bulldogs rode the veteran play of junior outside hitter Jessica Stetler (San Antonio/Churchill) and senior middle blocker Jamie Jahns (Spring/Klein Collins). Stetler, an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American in 2008, collected a match-high 17 kills and a team-best 11 digs. Jahns added 13 kills, an ace, and a solo block.
TLU moved to 4-2 overall and to 1-0 in the ASC West Division. HSU dropped to 3-4 overall and to 0-1 in the ASC.
Amanda Curry (Lago Vista/Lago Vista/Hardin-Simmons) dished out 31 assists, and Blair O’Brien (Austin/Manor) recorded 10 digs. Sarah Black (Needville/Needville) delivered seven kills.
TLU hit just .164 as a team, but the Bulldogs held HSU to an attack percentage of .073. The Bulldogs held HSU All-American Kaela Parnell to eight kills and a hitting percentage of .071. Parnell, the ASC West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, did have five total blocks (two block solos, three block assists).
Chelsie Fowler led HSU with 14 digs, and Erin Davis added 16 assists. Diona Massey paced the Cowgirls with 10 kills.
TLU continues ASC West Division play with a Friday evening match against McMurry. The match in TLU’s Tostengard Activity Center begins at 6 p.m.
Since joining the ASC and the ASC West Division in 2000, TLU has seven total ASC West titles (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008). The Bulldogs shared the 2007 ASC West title with HSU, and TLU twice claimed the ASC West runner-up spot (in 2002 and 2005). The Bulldogs have never placed below second in the ASC West standings since joining the league.