BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team claimed two sweeps over Howard Payne University Friday evening in Belton. The Cru improved to 17-1 on the season and 7-1 in American Southwest Conference action, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 7-8 overall and 1-5 in league play.
 
UMHB took an early lead in the first match of the night, going ahead 7-3 after recording six unanswered points. The Cru brought their lead to as large as ten before the Yellow Jackets used a 5-1 run followed by a four-point run to close the gap to five at the 24-19 mark. The Cru closed the first set on the next play with a kill from Dravyn Hurd.

The Yellow Jackets fought back in the second set taking the lead 3-2 and holding it until the Cru went on a three-point run to take an 8-6 lead. The Yellow Jackets tied it up again at 8-8, but the Cru reclaimed the high ground and used a seven-point run to secure the 25-20 win. The third set played close up to the 16-16 mark when UMHB went on a 7-1 run and cruised to a 25-18 victory to claim the 3-0 win.

Hannah Frasca led the Cru with 10 kills while Hurd and Natalie Hughes added seven to the Cru's 35 kills. Maddie Gillispie and Frasca led defensively with three digs each.

The Yellow Jackets were first to score in the second match, leading 2-0. The set remained close, seeing nine tied scores up until the 17-17 mark. The Cru used a duo of four-point runs to win the first set 25-22.

Second-set action played even, standing tied 11-11 before UMHB went on a four-point run to go ahead 15-11. The Cru used a 7-1 run to close the set 25-15. UMHB jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the final set. The Cru kept pushing forward using five-point and six-point runs to go ahead by 11. UMHB did not let up and took the third set 25-14.

Hurd led the Cru with 11 kills, finishing with a .500 hitting percentage. The Cru offense was anchored by Ella Brunson with 28 assists. Defensively, Frasca led in digs with 18 and Hurd led in blocks with five.

UMHB returns to action October 7^th in an 11:00 a.m. match against Sul Ross State University in Belton. The Cru will honor three senior student-athletes at the conclusion of the match.