Prior to the match, the program honored two Scots: Dakota Vaiese and Izzy Freeman.

Vaiese, a four-year setter for the Scots, has been an integral part of the Maryville rotation. Throughout her collegiate career, Vaiese has tallied 2,096 assists, averaging 5.10 per set. Alongside her assists, she has recorded 703 digs and 196 service aces. For her efforts on and off the court, Vaiese is a three-time CCS Academic All-Conference honoree, a two-time Academic All-District honoree, and a CCS Second Team All-Conference selection. Vaiese will graduate from Maryville in the spring with a degree in Finance and Accounting and a minor in Economics. Following graduation, she will join Pugh CPAs in the tax department. She will also continue her volleyball career in England next fall while pursuing her master's degree.

Freeman, a three-year member of the volleyball program, was also honored Saturday. Throughout her Maryville career, the junior opposite hitter has appeared in 117 sets, recording 68 kills, 37 digs, eight assists, and seven service aces. A two-time CCS Academic All-Conference recipient, Freeman is on track to graduate from Maryville with a degree in Pre-Law. Following graduation, she intends to further her education by attending law school.

During their time at Maryville, the 2026 senior class helped lead the Scots to an impressive 71-51 overall record and a 39-23 conference record, including two trips to the conference championship match.

Despite the loss, Maryville put together a strong performance, finishing with 52 digs, 49 kills, and 45 assists. Addison Appleby and Ruby Walton led the Scots' offensive production with 15 and 12 kills, respectively. Megan Fairburn (21) and Vaiese (20) paced the team in assists, while Kyrah Bowles (14) and Katelyn Eldred (10) led the defensive effort in digs.

Southwestern came out firing in the opening set, taking an early 6-1 lead. Trailing 11-4, Maryville responded with a four-point run highlighted by an Appleby kill and back-to-back service aces from Walton. Freeman and Appleby added kills to interrupt the Pirates' scoring, but Southwestern answered with a 4-0 run to extend its advantage to 20-10. The Scots used a Southwestern service error to spark another rally, with Walton and Grubbs each contributing two points to cut the deficit to 20-15. However, the comeback fell short as the Pirates claimed the opening set, 25-18.

Southwestern carried its momentum into the second set, while the Scots once again found themselves working back from a deficit, trailing 14-7. Lexi Davis, Walton, Freeman, and Appleby each recorded successful attacks, while Vaiese added back-to-back service aces. Despite the effort, Maryville could not overcome the Pirates' advantage, as Southwestern took the second set, 25-16.

Maryville found its footing in the third set, with Grubbs recording the opening point for the Scots. Neither team was able to pull away, as the score was tied eight times throughout the set. Although Maryville struggled to string together extended scoring runs, the Scots consistently found ways to stay ahead. Trailing 6-5, Walton sparked a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from Freeman, Appleby, and Walton, to give Maryville an 11-7 advantage. Aubrey Gibson, Appleby, Davis, Walton, Grubbs, and Bowles continued to contribute offensively as the Scots maintained their momentum. Facing set point, Vaiese delivered a service ace to help Maryville secure the third set, 25-20.

The Scots carried that momentum into the fourth set. Although Southwestern held the lead for much of the frame, Maryville stayed within striking distance. Gibson, Walton, and Eldred helped keep the Scots close, cutting the deficit to 7-6 and setting up a back-and-forth stretch between the two teams. A Gibson kill, followed by two Southwestern attack errors, brought Maryville within one at 11-10. The Pirates responded with a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 15-10.

An Appleby kill sparked another Maryville rally, as the Scots scored four consecutive points to work their way back into the set and even the score at 19-19. Appleby added another kill late in the frame, while several Southwestern errors helped keep Maryville in contention. However, the Scots could not complete the comeback, as the Pirates secured the fourth set, 25-22, to take the match.

Maryville returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6:00 PM CT for its final CCS match of the regular season against Sewanee.