BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team won its home opener against East Texas Baptist University 3-1 Friday evening in Belton.  The Cru improved to 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in American Southwest Conference action while the Tigers fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in league play.
 
ETBU handed UMHB its first set loss of the season, opening the match with a 25-21 win over the Cru. UMHB came back strong in the second set, earning a 25-16 win to even the match at 1-1. The Cru followed with a pair of 25-18 set wins to beat the Tigers 3-1 in the Cru's home opener.
 
"We have to credit East Texas Baptist," Head Coach Mark Pryor said. "They are vastly improved and going to be in the top half of the league. They played exceptionally well in the early part of the match."
 
Kylie Metcalf and Hannah Frasca led the Cru with 11 kills each while Sarah Grace Merry and Kayla Janikula each added nine. UMHB hit .219 in the match with Alli Pierce assisting 42 of UMHB's 48 kills. Sydney Bowen led the Cru at the service line, serving three aces while Maddie Gillispie, Alli Pierce and Alyssa Christiansen each added two. Defensively, Hannah Frasca led the Cru with 16 digs followed by Pierce with 15 and Gillispie with 12. UMHB totaled 67 digs and three team blocks in the contest, limiting the Tigers to a .207 hitting percentage against the Cru.
 
"We responded but we had a lot of nerves early on," Pryor added. "It was good to see us get calm, respond and play well. "
 
The Cru returns to action on Tuesday, September 14^th in a 6 p.m. match against Howard Payne University in Brownwood.