MARSHALL, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team earned two wins at the East Texas Baptist Tournament on Friday in Marshall. The Cru defeated Concordia Texas 3-1, and Belhaven University 3-0. These wins improve UMHB's record to 4-1.
The Cru opened play in set one with a 25-19 win against the Tornados. UMHB was only trailing for one point at the 2-1 mark, tying it up at 2-2, and holding the lead for the remainder of the frame. The Cru began set two holding the lead by as many as four points until the Tornados tied it up at 19-19. From this point on, the set was a back-and-forth matchup, extending play to extra points. Concordia closed it out, capitalizing on UMHB errors in the final plays to take the 28-26 victory, knotting the game at one set each. The Cru came back out for the third set, beating the Tornados 25-16, sealed by a Kaysen Miller kill for the final set point, to take the 2-1 lead. UMHB rallied in the fourth set to win 25-18, sealing the 3-1 victory.
Kaysen Miller was the leading Crusader in kills, tallying 13 along with six digs. Baylee Mobley followed with 11 kills and 11 digs to earn her a double-double. Kendall Harrington tacked on 50 assists with six kills. Harrington and Peyton Sedlacek tied for the most digs with 26 each.
Game two was opened with a three-point Cru run. Belhaven earned a couple back, but the Cru kept the lead through the end of the game. UMHB held the Blazers to just ten points, taking the set 25-10. Set two played back-and-forth, but Baylee Mobley and Kaysen Miller kills gave UMHB a five-point lead mid-set. The Cru held this lead for the remainder of the frame, finishing the 25-17 win with a service ace from Miller. UMHB went on an early five-point run in the third set that consisted of two kills from Sifa Olang with a service ace and kill from Natalie Hughes to take the score to 5-2. Belhaven knotted the score at sixes and then took the lead, but UMHB responded, tying the game at 11. Multiple kills from Kaysen Miller along with assisted blocks from Olang and Kendall Harrington gave the Cru the 22-14 upperhand. Olang and Miller secured the 3-0 match sweep, rounding out the third set with consecutive kills.
Kaysen Miller led the Cru with 11 kills and eight digs in the match. Baylee Mobley followed with seven kills and 10 digs. Natalie Hughes tallied four aces, while Kendall Harrington added 30 assists.
The Cru returns to action on Saturday, September 6th in Marshall for the East Texas Baptist Tournament. UMHB will take on Carroll University at 11:00am, and the University of Dallas at 5:00pm.
