CONWAY, Ark. – HBU senior outside hitter Bailey Keith led the Huskies with 12 kills and added three blocks in their 3-2 (23-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-5) drop to Central Arkansas Thursday evening in Southland Conference volleyball.
 
Sophomore setter Kayla Armer recorded 33 assists for HBU (13-15, 7-6 SLC). Junior middle blocker Allison Doerpinghaus had six total blocks for the Huskies, while sophomore outside hitter Jessica Wooten and freshman middle blocker Blair Gillard each had four blocks. Senior libero Haley Hoffman recorded 11 digs for HBU.
 
Heather Shnars led the Sugar Bears with a match-high of 25 kills and added 12 digs. Evie Singleton recorded 14 kills for UCA, while Alicia Dittrich had 12 kills, along with six blocks. Kristine Hjembo had a match-high of 59 assists for the Sugar Bears. Shelbee Barringer recorded 14 digs for UCA.
 
In the first set, the Huskies and the Sugar Bears battled back and forth to tie the set 12-12. A kill by senior outside hitter Megan McStravick gave HBU a lead, but UCA scored a point to tie again 13-13. This continued for most of the set, where the Huskies found themselves tied again 22-22. HBU then scored two straight points to take the lead for the set. Although the Sugar Bears scored again, the Huskies took the set 23-25 after a kill from McStravick.
 
In the second set, UCA jumped out to a five-point lead, but HBU cut their deficit after a kill by Keith to make the set 5-1. Although the Huskies fought back, they were not able to take a lead for the set. The Sugar Bears took the set 25-11.
 
In the third set, UCA tied the set 8-8, but HBU scored two straight points to take their lead 8-10. The Huskies were able to keep their lead for the rest of the set in order to win the set 23-25.
 
In the fourth set, the Huskies and the Sugar Bears tied 13-13. Errors made by UCA allowed HBU to take a three point lead 13-16, but UCA fought back in order to tie the set again 17-17. The Sugar Bears then scored seven straight points to take a far lead over the Huskies and then took the set 25-19.
 
In the fifth set, UCA took a six point lead over HBU, but a service error allowed the Huskies to stop their run 6-1. After the Sugar Bears scored two more points, a kill by McStravick gave HBU another point. UCA then took over the set in order to win 15-5.
 
The Sugar Bears outblocked the Huskies 12-11. UCA outhit HBU 66-40. The Sugar Bears outdug the Huskies 53-40.
 
The Huskies will return to action Tuesday, Nov. 11 to face Central Arkansas again at 7 p.m. in Sharp Gym.