BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team claimed a share of the American Southwest Conference regular-season title and the right to host the ASC tournament with a 3-1 win over UT Dallas Friday night in Belton. The Cru improved to 25-1 overall and 13-1 in ASC play while the Comets fell to 8-12 on the season and 6-4 in league action.
UMHB was first on the board with a block from Savannah Johnson. The first set played within two points until the 14-14 mark when the Cru used a three-point run to go ahead 17-14, highlighted by a duo of kills by Kendall Harrington. The Comets cut the gap to one, but UMHB held the high ground claiming a 25-22 win.
The Cru took an early lead in the second set, scoring seven unanswered points to go ahead 7-2. The Comets used a three-point run followed by a four-point run to bring the contest within two. UMHB responded with a 4-1 run to go up 20-15. UTD tried to fight back, going on a four-point run on set-point before a service error gave UMHB a 25-21 win.
Third-set action went point-for-point up to the 10-10 mark. The Comets pulled away on an 8-2 run and took a lead as big as nine. UMHB used a 6-1 run to bring the set within four, but could not overcome the deficit falling 25-20.
The Comets were first to score in the final set, but the Cru responded with a 7-1 run to claim the high ground. UMHB continued with a three-point run followed by six unanswered points to go ahead 22-11. The Cru only allowed the Comets one more point, securing the match with a 25-12 fourth set win.
Hannah Frasca and Kendall Harrington led the Cru with 11 kills each while Katie Warden added 10. UMHB totaled 45 kills on 133 total attacks, hitting .248 in the contest. Harrington and Ella Brunson led the Cru with 20 assists each while Maddie Gillispie and Dravyn Hurd each served two aces. Defensively, Frasca and Brunson each had a team-high 12 digs while Harrington added 11. Natalie Hughes was the defensive leader at the net, totaling 11 blocks in the match.
UMHB returns to action on Friday, November 3rd in a 6:00 p.m. contest against Sul Ross State University in Alpine. The Cru will host the ASC Championship Tournament November 9th-11th at the Mayborn Campus Center in Belton.
