FINAL BRACKET

RICHARDSON, TX --- It took five, nail-biting games to decide the 2009 American Southwest Conference champion. And in the end, UT Dallas earned the right to wear the conference crown for at least one more year.

The Comets outlasted Hardin-Simmons in a nip-and-tuck affair in the ASC Volleyball Tournament Championship, edging the Cowgirls in a 3-2 thriller (14-25, 25-16, 25-17, 23-25, 15-6) at the UTD Activity Center.

It was just the third five-set duel the Comets played this season—and it helped them avenge a 3-1 loss to HSU in the 2006 title tilt. More importantly, it stamped UTD’s ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

“It’s so exciting, and to top it off, we did it undefeated,” said UTD coach Marci Sanders, whose team remains the only unbeaten team in NCAA Division III. “That wasn’t planned or a goal we set out—it was an extra bonus. It was something I told my players they could do if they played to their potential.”

UTD setter Niki Calverley, who doled out 55 assists in Saturday’s match, was named the tournament MVP for distributing the ball to four different Comets who registered nine or more kills throughout.

Senior Kyleigh Irish poured in a team-high 17 kills, 20 digs, and ignited the UTD offense as it sputtered after Game 1, a 25-14 loss. But it was freshmen Dana Hilzendager and Halea Williams who were honored as members of the All-Tournament team at the end of the day. Hilzendager posted 15 kills and four aces, two of which sparked an 8-0 Comets run in Game 5. Williams finished with nine kills and, for the second straight match, led UTD in block assists (3).

Jessica Nassau had 14 kills and libero Melanie Power, the reigning ASC East Defensive Player of the Week, compiled a game-high 23 digs.

After dropping the first game to HSU, the Comets bounced back to win Games 2 and 3 behind Irish’s and William’s heroics. Both Irish and Williams combined for 16 kills during that stretch, helping award UTD a 2-1 advantage heading into Game 4.

The Cowgirls squeezed by UTD in Game 4, but imploded in the final set as UTD rattled off eight straight points—capped by a Hilzendager ace—and built a lead that proved insurmountable.

“Once we settled down, we were fine,” said Sanders. “This team wanted this really, really bad. They eventually relaxed and played well.”

The Comets now await their placement in the NCAA III Tournament, which begins next Thursday, Nov. 12. Six of the eight regional hosts have been made, and the final two will be selected tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 8). The NCAA “Selection Show” will be held on Monday, Nov. 9.

Last season, UTD fell to Southwestern University 3-0 in the opening round of the national tournament. But this year, with an unblemished record of 25-0, the Comets enter the national stage with a heightened confidence—and a slew of returnees from last year’s squad.

“We’ve been there, we’ve done that,” said Sanders. “We’ve got quite a few freshmen on the floor, but I’m sure they’ll adjust to (the pressure.)”

-Courtesy University of Texas at Dallas Sports Information Department

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Niki Calverley, Texas-Dallas (Most Valuable Player)
Chelsea Fowler, Hardin-Simmons
Dana Hilzendager, Texas-Dallas
Kaela Parnell, Hardin-Simmons
Jessica Stetler, Texas Lutheran
M.J. Vickers, McMurry
Halea Williams, Texas-Dallas