BROWNWOOD, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor fought hard but dropped a highly competitive 2-3 away match against Howard Payne University on Friday evening. 

The first set began with a series of points from both teams to tie the score at 5-5. The Lady Jackets were able to take the lead, but a run from the Crusaders with a kill from Baylee Mobley gave the Cru the lead at 10-9. A series of kills from the Crusaders gave them a six-point lead late in the set, but the Lady Jackets rallied back to tie the set at 22-22 before sealing the win at 25-23.

The second set began with a three-point run from the Cru before HPU came back to tie the set at 6-6. A six-point service run by Peyton Sedlacek gave UMHB the lead at 12-5. The Yellow Jackets continued to fight, but the Crusaders were able to hold onto a 20-11 lead late in the match. HPU fought hard, but a kill from Crusader Raylee Schaffner sealed the win for the Crusaders 25-16.

The third set began with the Crusaders taking an early three-point lead before the Yellow Jackets had a run of their own to close the gap with a UMHB 5-3 lead. A kill from Dravyn Hurd gave the Cru momentum as they increased their lead to 12-6. The Lady Jackets fought back to take the lead for the first time in the set at 14-13. Back-and-forth points tied the set at 21-21, but a kill from Natalie Hughes gave the Crusaders the win at 25-22.

The fourth set began with back-and-forth points from both teams to tie the set at 7-7. A series of kills from both the Crusaders and the Yellow Jackets continued the close set with a tie at 15-15. A kill from Crusader Baylee Mobley put the Cru up late in the set, but a kill from the Yellow Jackets gave HPU the set win at 26-24.

The fifth set began with runs from both teams to tie the set at 5-5. HPU gained a seven-point run to give them the lead at 13-6. The Crusaders fought back to a four-point deficit, but a kill from the Yellow Jackets gained HPU the set win at 15-10 and with it, the match win.

Natalie Hughes led the Crusaders in kills with 16 for the match with a .600 hitting percentage. Dravyn Hurd and Baylee Mobley tied for second adding twelve kills each, while Cameron Pesek tallied seven kills for the match. Kendall Harrington had 40 assists for the night, and Baylee Mobley added four service aces.

Peyton Sedlacek led the team defensively with 18 digs for the match followed by Baylee Mobley with 13 digs. Dravyn Hurd led the Cru in blocks and tallied four blocking assists.

UMHB returns to action in Abilene on Saturday, September 27th in a 1:00pm contest against Hardin-Simmons.