DENTON, Texas (OCT. 11) – TWU freshman Elizabeth Pennington had a game-high 18 kills and a .538 hitting percentage to help the Pioneers capture a four-set win over Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon at Kitty Magee Arena.  After dropping the first set, 25-21, TWU won the next three, 25-16, 25-14 and 25-21, and improved its record to 12-7 on the season and 7-3 in the Lone Star Conference.
 
The Pioneers dominated on both offense and defense they posted a .302 hitting percentage and recorded 18 team blocks.  TWU held the TexAnns to just .095 hitting percentage.
 
Pennington recorded 18 kills on 26 attempts with just four errors.  She also had seven blocks assists and two solo blocks at the net.  Senior Jaqueline Santos added 12 kills for TWU while junior Hillary Shaffer posted eight kills on 14 attempts with a .500 hitting percentage for the Pioneers.  Additionally, Shaffer had seven blocks assists and one solo block.  Freshman Haley Collins came off the TWU bench and posted six block assists and one solo block in three sets.
 
The Pioneers struggled in the first set as TSU jumped out to a 12-5 lead.  The TexAnns pushed the lead to 10 points, 17-7, before TWU chipped away to make it a two-point game, 23-21.  Tarleton State recorded back-to-back kills to close out the set.
 
In the second set, it was all Pioneers as they jumped out to an early 10-4 lead and never looked back for a nine-point win.  TWU hit .500 in the set and had just one hitting error.
 
The Pioneers carried the momentum into the third set and again jumped out to an early 7-1 lead.  TWU pushed the lead 14-3 before winning by 11 points.  The Pioneers held Tarleton State to -.047 hitting percentage and recorded seven team blocks in the set.
 
In the fourth set, both teams traded points early before TWU built a 12-7 lead.  The TexAnns used an 8-2 run to take a 16-14 lead but the Pioneers scored five straight points to regain the lead.  TWU outscored Tarleton State 6-5 to close out the set and capture a four-point win.
 
"This was a tough weekend and we picked up two huge wins (vs. Angelo State & Tarleton State) to put us in second place in the LSC standings," said TWU head coach Shelly Barberee.  "Our middles played an outstanding game and we served really well.  Liz and Hillary played well on both offense and defense."
 
The Pioneers will return to action when the host a midweek non-conference game against Dallas Baptist on Wednesday, Oct. 15.  First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Kitty Magee Arena.