BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a sweep over Concordia University Texas Tuesday evening at the Mayborn Campus Center in Belton.
UMHB opened the first set with a back-and-forth battle until Concordia Texas pulled ahead to take a 13-9 lead. The Crusaders fought back with six unanswered points to tie the set at score 14-14. The back-and-forth battle continued until UMHB ultimately pulled out the thrilling 29-27 victory after 14 ties and five lead changes throughout the set.
UMHB carried the momentum into the second set, taking a commanding 9-1 lead. Concordia Texas tried to battle back but the Cru was in the driver's seat, sealing the 25-17 win with help from
Natalie Hughes at the net and
Kaysen Miller at the service line.
Set three opened up with another back-and-forth battle before the Crusaders pulled ahead to 14-6 with five unanswered points. The Cru then closed out the match in commanding fashion, cruising to a 25-8 third-set victory.
Lilli Sandoval led the Cru with 11 kills while Natalia Hughes added eight and
Allie Thompson had five.
Chloe Brandt tallied 16 assists with
Kaysen Miller adding six aces.
Ava Ribakovs led the Cru with 17 digs while
Angie Garcia added 14 and
Lilli Sandoval had 13. Natalia Hughes recorded nine blocks with
Ava Ribakovs tallying seven.
UMHB tallied 38 kills on 125 attacks with 32 assists. UMHB also had a staggering 19 blocks in the match with 68 digs.
UMHB returns to action in a pair of matches Thursday afternoon against Texas Lutheran University at home. The Cru will also play in four more matches this week during their home tournament Friday, September 4
th – Saturday, September 5th.
