MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team earned a pair of wins on their first day in Memphis, earning a five-set win over Austin College before beating Rhodes College in three.
UMHB jumped to a 4-2 lead in the first set and used a trio of 3-0 runs to keep the lead, winning set one 25-19. Austin College responded with a 25-13 win in set two before taking the third set to extra points, winning 26-24. UMHB fought back in the fourth, pulling away with a pair of three-point runs to earn a 25-22 win. Austin College opened the fifth set with a lead but the Cru scored six unanswered points to take an 8-5 lead. Austin College tied the set again at nine before UMHB scored three more unanswered points to go up 12-9. The Roos again fought back, tying the set at 13. Natalie Hughes hit a kill for the 14th point and served an ace for the 15th to secure the 15-13 win for UMHB.
Hannah Frasca, Katie Warden and Natalie Hughes all totaled 13 kills while Dravyn Hurd added nine. UMHB hit 61 total kills on 234 attacks. Kendall Harrington anchored UMHB's offense with 36 assists while Alyssa Christiansen served a team-high three aces. Defensively, Hannah Frasca led with 23 digs followed by Harrington with 16 and Maddie Gillispie with 12.
UMHB finished the day cruising to a 3-0 win over Rhodes College. The Cru opened with a pair of 25-21 wins before sealing the match with a 25-20 win in the third.
Frasca led UMHB with 12 kills while Hurd added seven. UMHB totaled 41 kills on 118 total attacks in the match. Kendall Harrington and Ella Brunson split time at setter with Harrington totaling 17 assists and Brunson adding 12. Defensively, Harrington led with 16 digs while Maddie Gillispie added 12. Hurd was the Cru's defensive leader at the net, totaling five blocks.
UMHB returns to action Saturday in two more matches in Memphis. The Cru opens the day with an 11 a.m. match against Lyon College before facing Bethel University at 2 p.m.
