CONWAY, Ark. – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team swept its opening day at the Hendrix Invitational, earning wins over Concordia University Texas and Hendrix College. The wins improved the Cru to 15-1 overall on the season.
The Cru began the day with a three-set win against Concordia University Texas. The first set played evenly with no more than a three-point differential until the 19-20 mark when UMHB jumped ahead with a five-point run to lead 23-20. Dravyn Hurd put down a kill for the 24th point before an assisted block from Kendall Harrington and Natalie Hughes sealed the win.
The second set got off to a similar start, this time with UMHB cruising ahead earlier on in play. Following the 7-7 point, the Cru held the lead for the remainder of the set, finishing 25-16. For the majority of the third set, it was a game of back-and-forth in two-point increments. UMHB began to soar after back-to-back kills from Raylee Schaffner and Natalie Hughes, setting the tone for the 25-20 win.
Kendall Harrington had a big game with 19 assists, 11 digs, eight kills, and two service aces, leading the Cru in total points scored. Caitlyn Ellenburg followed behind Harrington in assists, tallying 14 of her own. Raylee Schaffner led with nine kills, while Dravyn Hurd tacked on eight to match Harrington's. Faith Clark was the Cru's defensive leader, recording 12 digs.
UMHB faced off against tournament-host Hendrix College in the second game of the day. The first set played back-and-forth until the Cru used a 4-1 run to take a two-point lead. Hendrix responded with a 6-1 run to go ahead by three but the Cru fought back, putting up six consecutive points for an 18-15 lead. Hendrix answered again, using a 4-1 run to go ahead by two and winning the set 25-23.
The Cru led early in the second set and did not trail, cruising to a 25-20 win. Hendrix answered in the third, leading early and using a 5-0 run to gain enough lead to stay ahead, winning the set 25-17. The Warriors held the high ground in the fourth but UMHB was persistent in pursuit, closing the fourth set on a 6-1 run to win 25-21. The Cru opened the final set with three unanswered points and held the lead until the 6-6 mark when the Warriors went ahead off a service ace. UMHB quickly tied it but Hendrix regained the lead and maintained the margin until the 12-12 mark when back-to-back kills from Baylee Mobley and Dravyn Hurd put UMHB up 14-13. The Warriors tacked on one more point for a 14-14 knot but another Mobley kill and a block from Hurd and Cameron Pesek earned the Cru a 16-14 set-win, sealing the 3-2 match victory.
Mobley led the Cru with 18 kills in the match, followed by Hurd with 13 and Harrington with 11. UMHB hit .208 in the contest, anchored by Caitlyn Ellenburg with 26 assists and Kendall Harrington with 24. The Cru also tallied 12 service aces, led by Faith Clark and Mobley with three each. Caiden Lasala was the Cru's defensive leader, totaling 22 digs as five Crusaders all recorded double-digits in that category. Natalie Hughes led defensive efforts at the net with seven total blocks, followed by Hurd, Pesek and Mobley each with four.
UMHB returns to the court on Sunday, September 22nd, in a 10:00 a.m. match against Rhodes College in Arkansas.
