Storm Drops Opener vs SEU at UT-Tyler Tourney

TYLER, Texas – Southeastern opened play at the 2021 Dakota's Patriot Classic on Friday afternoon with a 3-0 loss to St. Edward's in Tyler, Texas.
 
The loss drops the Savage Storm to 1-3 heading into day two of the event when it will take on Ferris State at 10 a.m. and West Alabama at 1 p.m.
 
SE dropped the opening set 25-10 before closing the gaps over the final two sets to the tune of 25-18 and 25-17.
 
Ruthie Forson led the Storm offense with six kills while also handing out 15 assists.
 
Mya Afflerbach and Jessie Steele each chipped in four kills in the effort.
 
Grace Shehadeh led the back row defense with eight digs, while Afflerbach posted a trio of blocks including two solo.
 
A pair of long runs put the first set out of reach as the Storm offense had a hard time gaining momentum as Skylor Lewis posted a pair of kills to lead the team in the set.
 
Forson, Afflerbach, and Caroline Griffith each had two kills in the second set, helping SE mount a late rally, scoring five of the final seven points to close the gap late to 25-18.
 
Forson led the charge with three kills in the final set as SE would narrow the score to a three-point deficit late before SEU would pull away with the 25-17 win in the set.