SHERMAN, Texas â€" The Texas Lutheran volleyball squad started off its final SCAC weekend of play with a Saturday split, sweeping Centenary and losing to Austin College.
 
The split moved the Bulldogs' record to 13-8 on the year and 7-5 in SCAC play. With two conference matches remaining, TLU continues to remain in good shape to receiver a top-four seed in the SCAC Championship.
 
In the first match of the day, Texas Lutheran lost a heartbreaker 3-2 to Austin College. The two teams played five sets, with four of the five being decided by the minimum two points. The Bulldogs eventually lost 23-25, 26-24, 15-25, 25-23, 14-16.
 
The Bulldogs were on the verge of victory against the 'Roos, leading 14-11 in the final and needing just one point to come away with a win. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Austin College rattled off five straight points to finish off the match.
 
Both teams aren't strangers to a tight match, with the Bulldogs winning the matchup between the two teams earlier this season 3-2. Seven of the 10 sets have been decided by just two points.
 
Vanecia Spencer (Grandview, Texas) enjoyed a great match for the Bulldogs, leading the team with season-high 23 kills on .362 hitting. It was the first time this season that Spencer recorded more than 20 kills. She also recorded five digs and a block against the 'Roos.
 
Brette Threadgill (Sinton, Texas) was the other Bulldog to notch double-digit kills. She finished with 15 kills on .064 hitting.
 
Megan Lee (Universal City, Texas) also enjoyed a huge day against the 'Roos, notching a season-high 47 digs as the Bulldogs' libero. Her efforts were a big reason for the Bulldogs holding the 'Roos to .161 hitting as a team.
 
Texas Lutheran hit .119 as a team and recorded six blocks compared to eight for Austin College.
 
Senior Manda Martin (Burnet, Texas) was another big-time contributor for the Bulldogs, recording 44 assists to go along with five kills, three digs and three blocks.
 
The Bulldogs bounced back from the tough loss to Austin College with a dominant 25-21, 25-15, 25-15 sweep of Centenary.
 
The Texas Lutheran defense was outstanding against Centenary, holding the Ladies to .058 hitting and recording six blocks in the three sets. On offense, the Bulldogs hit .221.
 
Individually, Threadgill led the way with 10 kills (.333 hitting) to go along with three blocks. Martin was strong again, recording 33 assists in the short match.
 
The Bulldogs will wrap up conference play with two more matches on Sunday against Dallas and No. 8 Colorado College at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.