SHERMAN, Texas â€" The Texas Lutheran volleyball team is off to its best start in 16 years after sweeping both Texas-Tyler and LeTourneau on Saturday to cap off the Austin College Invitational.
 
The Bulldogs (7-1) have won seven out of their first eight matches, with all seven wins being sweeps. It's the program's best start since getting out to a 16-1 beginning in 1998.
 
Texas Lutheran started the day with a battle against Texas-Tyler that, on paper, looked like a potential heavy-duty matchup. The Bulldogs had other ideas though, powering their way to a 25-18, 25-7, 25-18 victory.
 
As has become the norm in the early portion of the 2014 campaign, the Bulldog offense was humming on all cylinders against the Patriots, hitting .279 for the match. Leading the way was senior setter Katie Darst (Euless, Texas) and her 25 assists. She was one dig shy of a double-double, tallying nine for the match.
 
Two Bulldogs finished the match with double-figure kills. Kristin Fording (San Antonio, Texas) was the team leader with 12 kills on .478 hitting. Brette Threadgill (Sinton, Texas) was right behind her with 10 kills (.156 hitting).
 
Texas Lutheran kept the good times rolling in the final match of the weekend, turning in a 25-12, 25-12, 25-20 sweep of LeTourneau. It was the second time this season the Bulldogs have swept the Yellow Jackets.
 
The TLU defense held LeTourneau to .000 hitting on the day, while the Bulldogs hit .234.
 
Megan Lee (Universal City, Texas) played a large role, as usual, in the solid defensive effort. The senior turned in a 20-dig effort, while also racking up five assists and three service aces.
 
Threadgill was the only Bulldog with double-figure kills. The sophomore notched 10 with .500 hitting.
 
The Bulldogs will look to continue their non-conference success with another tough tournament next weekend. They will take on a handful of West Coast schools in San Antonio during the Trinity Fall Classic. Things start with battles against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Linfield on Friday, Sept. 12.