University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saturday, August 29
Laramie, Wyo.
2:00 p.m. CT
0-1,0-0Summit League
2
vs
3
Texas Tech
1-1,0-0Big 12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | 25 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 3 |
| St. Thomas (MN) | 17 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 2 |
Addie Schmotzer (22) comes down from an attack against a Texas Tech defender during the season opener at the Rumble in the Rockies in Laramie.
St. Thomas nearly completes reverse sweep against Texas Tech Saturday
8/29/2026 5:11:00 PM | Volleyball
Gustafson and Kealy tally double-doubles as Tommies open Rumble in the Rockies with 3-2 loss
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- The University of St. Thomas (0-1, 0-0 Summit League) narrowly fell to Texas Tech (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) in a five-set match, 3-2 (17-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-17), at Arena-Auditorium on Saturday. Despite a strong effort with 17 kills in the fourth set, the Tommies were unable to secure the reverse sweep to open the Rumble in the Rockies.
TOP TOMMIES
Ellie Gustafson
- Gustafson totaled 13 kills, a team high, and 10 digs for her 21st career double-double.
Addie Schmotzer
- Schmotzer set a career high with 12 kills, surpassing her previous high of 10, for the second most for the Tommies on the day. She hit .348 from the floor on 23 attacks.
- Schmotzer surpassed 150 total career blocks, now at 151, and 350 career points, now at 353.
Morgan Kealy
- Kealy recorded 39 set assists and 12 digs for her 47th career double-double.
- Kealy totaled five kills on a .417 hitting percentage.
Anya Schmidt
- Schmidt recorded her 350th career kill, finishing with 8 against Texas Tech.
Taylor McNear
- McNear totaled a team- and career-high 23 digs, surpassing her previous high of 14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One: St. Thomas started the first set with notable efforts to close the gap after Texas Tech's initial lead. Despite an early 4-0 deficit due to Texas Tech's scoring, the Tommies responded with a point on a service error by Texas Tech and followed it up with an attack error from Texas Tech's Sara Bowcutt, narrowing the score to 4-2. Ellie Gustafson's kill from Morgan Kealy's assist further tightened the score to 9-8.
As the set progressed, the Tommies continued to press with key plays from Addie Schmotzer and Anya Schmidt, each securing points to maintain competitive tension. However, Texas Tech capitalized on several opportunities, ultimately leading to a 25-17 finish in the first set in favor of the visiting team.
Set Two: Gustafson opened the second set for St. Thomas with back-to-back service aces, momentarily giving the team a 2-0 lead. However, a series of attack errors allowed Texas Tech to regain momentum, leveling the score at 2-2. The Tommies managed to temporarily retake the lead at 9-7, thanks to an ace from Kira Brundage and a block by Gustafson and Schmotzer.
Despite the efforts, Texas Tech executed a key run, pulling ahead 15-11. St. Thomas responded with a brief rally, bringing the score to 19-18, with crucial plays from Schmidt and another service ace by Brundage. However, Texas Tech closed the set with a decisive sequence, concluding with a service ace, to win the set 25-19.
Set Three: St. Thomas secured a dramatic third-set victory, culminating in a 25-20 outcome. The set saw pivotal contributions from Schmotzer and Maddy Benka, each delivering key kills that helped the Tommies maintain their competitive edge. After trailing early, a series of errors by Texas Tech allowed St. Thomas to level the score and eventually pull ahead. Audrey Kocon and Gustafson also played crucial roles, with Kocon contributing a series of plays that shifted momentum back in favor of the Tommies. The decisive final points came from a service ace by Kealy and a crucial attack error from Texas Tech, sealing the set for St. Thomas.
Set Four: St. Thomas displayed a resilient performance in the fourth set, overcoming several lead changes to secure a victory against Texas Tech. A key moment came when Gustafson's kill, assisted by Kealy, tied the score at 16-16. Subsequently, the Tommies capitalized on multiple errors by Texas Tech and strong plays by Schmidt and Schmotzer, enabling them to take the lead.
Despite pressure from Texas Tech, St. Thomas maintained their momentum, with Schmidt delivering a crucial service ace to bring them to match point. Schmotzer sealed the win with a kill, assisted by Kealy, ending the set at 25-22.
Set Five: In the decisive fifth set, St. Thomas rallied after an early deficit against Texas Tech. Despite trailing 4-0 initially due to several service aces from Elia Dinsmore, the Tommies responded with a series of kills by Kocon and Schmidt, narrowing the gap to 5-2. Kealy's consistent setting facilitated key plays, including two consecutive kills by Gustafson, leveling the score at 6-6.
As the set progressed, Texas Tech regained a slight edge, but St. Thomas mounted another comeback. McNear's service ace and a block by Schmidt brought the score to a tense 14-14 tie. However, Texas Tech managed to secure the final points, concluding the set at 17-15 and clinching the match.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Thanh Pham: "It was a great learning experience for our team, adding new pieces after losing such a big core. i was very impressed with our fight and grit to stay in the match. We'll use this learning experience as a springboard going forward."
UP NEXT
The next game for the Tommies will take place against Wyoming on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT in Laramie, Wyo.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball. Tommie Athletics is now available on TikTok at @TommieSports.
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2026 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
TOP TOMMIES
Ellie Gustafson
- Gustafson totaled 13 kills, a team high, and 10 digs for her 21st career double-double.
Addie Schmotzer
- Schmotzer set a career high with 12 kills, surpassing her previous high of 10, for the second most for the Tommies on the day. She hit .348 from the floor on 23 attacks.
- Schmotzer surpassed 150 total career blocks, now at 151, and 350 career points, now at 353.
Morgan Kealy
- Kealy recorded 39 set assists and 12 digs for her 47th career double-double.
- Kealy totaled five kills on a .417 hitting percentage.
Anya Schmidt
- Schmidt recorded her 350th career kill, finishing with 8 against Texas Tech.
Taylor McNear
- McNear totaled a team- and career-high 23 digs, surpassing her previous high of 14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One: St. Thomas started the first set with notable efforts to close the gap after Texas Tech's initial lead. Despite an early 4-0 deficit due to Texas Tech's scoring, the Tommies responded with a point on a service error by Texas Tech and followed it up with an attack error from Texas Tech's Sara Bowcutt, narrowing the score to 4-2. Ellie Gustafson's kill from Morgan Kealy's assist further tightened the score to 9-8.
As the set progressed, the Tommies continued to press with key plays from Addie Schmotzer and Anya Schmidt, each securing points to maintain competitive tension. However, Texas Tech capitalized on several opportunities, ultimately leading to a 25-17 finish in the first set in favor of the visiting team.
Set Two: Gustafson opened the second set for St. Thomas with back-to-back service aces, momentarily giving the team a 2-0 lead. However, a series of attack errors allowed Texas Tech to regain momentum, leveling the score at 2-2. The Tommies managed to temporarily retake the lead at 9-7, thanks to an ace from Kira Brundage and a block by Gustafson and Schmotzer.
Despite the efforts, Texas Tech executed a key run, pulling ahead 15-11. St. Thomas responded with a brief rally, bringing the score to 19-18, with crucial plays from Schmidt and another service ace by Brundage. However, Texas Tech closed the set with a decisive sequence, concluding with a service ace, to win the set 25-19.
Set Three: St. Thomas secured a dramatic third-set victory, culminating in a 25-20 outcome. The set saw pivotal contributions from Schmotzer and Maddy Benka, each delivering key kills that helped the Tommies maintain their competitive edge. After trailing early, a series of errors by Texas Tech allowed St. Thomas to level the score and eventually pull ahead. Audrey Kocon and Gustafson also played crucial roles, with Kocon contributing a series of plays that shifted momentum back in favor of the Tommies. The decisive final points came from a service ace by Kealy and a crucial attack error from Texas Tech, sealing the set for St. Thomas.
Set Four: St. Thomas displayed a resilient performance in the fourth set, overcoming several lead changes to secure a victory against Texas Tech. A key moment came when Gustafson's kill, assisted by Kealy, tied the score at 16-16. Subsequently, the Tommies capitalized on multiple errors by Texas Tech and strong plays by Schmidt and Schmotzer, enabling them to take the lead.
Despite pressure from Texas Tech, St. Thomas maintained their momentum, with Schmidt delivering a crucial service ace to bring them to match point. Schmotzer sealed the win with a kill, assisted by Kealy, ending the set at 25-22.
Set Five: In the decisive fifth set, St. Thomas rallied after an early deficit against Texas Tech. Despite trailing 4-0 initially due to several service aces from Elia Dinsmore, the Tommies responded with a series of kills by Kocon and Schmidt, narrowing the gap to 5-2. Kealy's consistent setting facilitated key plays, including two consecutive kills by Gustafson, leveling the score at 6-6.
As the set progressed, Texas Tech regained a slight edge, but St. Thomas mounted another comeback. McNear's service ace and a block by Schmidt brought the score to a tense 14-14 tie. However, Texas Tech managed to secure the final points, concluding the set at 17-15 and clinching the match.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Thanh Pham: "It was a great learning experience for our team, adding new pieces after losing such a big core. i was very impressed with our fight and grit to stay in the match. We'll use this learning experience as a springboard going forward."
UP NEXT
The next game for the Tommies will take place against Wyoming on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT in Laramie, Wyo.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball. Tommie Athletics is now available on TikTok at @TommieSports.
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2026 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
RS/S
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
TTU
UST
Kills
54
54
Errors
30
37
Attempts
167
180
Hitting %
.144
.094
Points
72.0
75.0
Assists
51
46
Aces
7
8
Blocks
11
13
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
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