ABILENE, Texas — The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team earned a straight-set victory over Hardin-Simmons University Friday evening, sweeping the Cowgirls 25-23, 25-22, 25-17 in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex. The Cru improves to 14-4 overall and 4-0 in ASC play with the win.
UMHB battled through a back-and-forth opening set, trading points with the Cowgirls before finding its rhythm late. The Cru faced a 23-20 deficit but responded with five consecutive points to close out the set.
Kaysen Miller and
Ava Ribakovs each recorded kills during the run before a Hardin-Simmons error and a Miller kill sealed the 25-23 victory.
The Cru carried that momentum into the second set, using a strong service run from Miller to build an early advantage. Miller recorded back-to-back service aces as UMHB stretched its lead to 7-2. The Crusaders maintained control throughout the set, holding off a late Hardin-Simmons push to secure the 25-22 win.
Natalie Hughes and
Allie Thompson helped lead the offense as UMHB moved within one set of the sweep.
UMHB opened the third set with a quick run to take a 5-1 lead and continued to build its advantage. The Cowgirls pulled within one point at 11-10, but the Cru responded with a series of kills to regain control. UMHB extended its lead to 18-11 before closing the match with seven of the final 10 points.
Lilli Sandoval delivered three consecutive service aces to finish the set, giving the Cru a 25-17 victory and completing the sweep.
Natalie Hughes,
Addison Yates and
Allie Thompson all recorded a team-high nine kills while
Ava Ribakovs and
Lilli Sandoval each added eight. Ribakovs led the Cru with 19 assists, followed by
Chloe Brandt with 17. Defensively, Brandt led with 19 digs while Sandoval added 15 and Garcia and Miller each tallied 13.
UMHB returns to action in a Thursday-night rematch with the Cowgirls on October 15
th in Belton.
