by Jeff Williford

RICHARDSON -- The UT Tyler Patriots volleyball team opened the American Southwest Conference Championships with a 3-1 loss to Hardin Simmons on Thursday afternoon at the UT Dallas Activity Center.  The Patriots will be back in action on Friday at noon, against the loser of the McMurry vs Mary Hardin Baylor match.

In set one, sloppy play by the Patriots (19-11), led the way to a 25-20 loss to HSU. Despite finishing the set with more kills than the Cowgirls, the Patriots could not overcome 10 hitting errors in the loss. 

UT Tyler came out crisp in set two, running out to an early 8-2 lead behind strong play by senior Danika Waldrep and freshman Madison Kosir. Behind 15 team kills, the Patriots blasted their way to a 25-15 set two win.

With the match tied at one a piece, Hardin Simmons took control with a 25-23 win in set three.  Both teams battled back and forth throughout the set, but with the Patriots leading 21-20, HSU went on a 5-2 run to finish off the set. 

The Patriots were unable to overcome 12 errors in set four, falling to the Cowgirls 25-18.  Cowgirl Madison Reyes finished her strong match in set four, registering 6 of her 14 kills in the final set.

Kosir led UT Tyler with 12 kills, while Waldrep and freshman Breanna Brummett finished with 10 apiece.  Kosir also led the team with 23 assists while Ashten Waldrep added 17.