MARSHALL, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team fell victim to a fifth-set loss Saturday afternoon, dropping its first game of the season to East Texas Baptist University. UMHB moved to 8-1 on the season and 1-1 in American Southwest Conference action while the Tigers improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in league action. 

East Texas Baptist opened the first set with a 9-5 lead before UMHB used a six-point run to go up 11-9. The Tigers responded with three unanswered points before the Cru fought back with a five-point run to take a 16-12 lead. ETBU tied the set at 18 but UMHB held on, ending the set in a 7-3 run to win the first set 25-21. UMHB took a 2-0 lead to open the second but ETBU responded and did not relinquish the lead, taking a 25-20 win. The Tigers used a 25-21 win in the third to go up in the match but the Crusader fought back with a 26-24 fourth-set win.

The Tigers opened the fifth set with a 5-0 run and used another five-point run to go up 10-1. UMHB scored a trio of points to fight back in the set but East Texas Baptist closed with a 4-0 series to take the match 3-2.

Hannah Frasca led the Cru with 11 kills while Dravyn Hurd added nine. Cameron Pesek and Katie Warden both added eight kills to UMHB's 42 total. The Cru hit .108 in the match, led by Kendall Harrington with 32 assists. Frasca led the Cru's defense with 16 digs, followed by Harrington with 15. Dravyn Hurd led the defensive attack at the net, totaling five blocks while Pesek added four.

UMHB returns to action on Sunday, September 17th in a pair of matches at Hendrix College. The Cru opens with a 12 p.m. contest against Hendrix before facing Centenary College at 3 p.m.