BELTON, Texas - University of May Hardin-Baylor team split the day against Texas Lutheran University and Alverno College Thursday in Belton. UMHB fought back to take the Bulldogs to five sets in the first match before sweeping Alverno 3-0.
The first set played back-and-forth with neither team leading by more than three until the 15-11 mark when a kill from Lilli Sandoval put the Cru up 15-11. The Bulldogs fought back with a 5-1 run to tie the contest at 16 but UMHB answered again for an 18-17 lead. The Bulldogs closed the set with an 8-2 run to take the 25-21 win.
UMHB used a 5-0 run early in the second set to go up by five and held the high ground until a 3-0 run put the Bulldogs ahead by one. UMHB tied it but TLU answered with two more kills for a 22-20 advantage. UMHB answered again, scoring the next three points for a 23-22 lead but TLU did not relent, forcing the set point at 24-23. UMHB answered with kills from Kaysen Miller and Natalie Hughes and a service ace from Baylee Mobley to take the set 26-24.
The Bulldogs led early in the third, going ahead by as many as six twice en route to a 25-15 win. TLU controlled most of the fourth set but the Cru caught momentum with an 8-1 run to take a 15-12 margin. The Bulldogs pulled within one but the Cru used a pair of three-point runs to go back up by five and closed the set with a 4-1 run for a 25-19 win.
Texas Lutheran took a 5-1 lead early in the fifth set and did not let up, taking the match victory with a 15-11 fifth-set victory.
Addison Yates led the Cru with 15 kills while Kaysen Miller and Lilli Sandoval each added 10. Chloe Brandt totaled 27 assists in the matchup, followed by Ava Ribakovs with 17. Angie Garcia was the Cru's defensive leader, putting up 23 digs followed by Ribakovs with 17. Hughes led defensive efforts at the net, totaling four blocks.
The Crusaders controlled the match with Alverno from the opening serve in set one. The Cru took the first set 25-12 before repeating the score in the second set. UMHB carried its momentum into the third set by closing out the match with a 25-10 victory.
Allie Thompson led the Cru with seven kills while Baylee Mobley and Sifa Olang both had five. Chloe Brandt totaled 18 assists throughout the match while Addison Lundquist followed with 11 assists. Angie Garcie was the Cru's defensive leader, putting up 12 digs followed by Sarah Rivich, Chloe Brandt, Baylee Mobley, and Lilli Sandoval all adding four.
UMHB returns to action Friday morning against LeTourneau University at home. The Cru will also play in three more matches this week during its home tournament.
