MOBILE, Ala. – The HBU volleyball team rallied from down 2-1 to defeat Samford 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-18, 16-14) in the Jaguar Invitational on Saturday afternoon inside Jag Gym.
Sophomore middle blocker
Blair Gillard aided the Huskies (6-4) on both sides of the net, turning in 11 kills and a season-high six blocks (two solo, four assisted) against the Bulldogs (3-3). The native of La Grange, Texas, posted an efficient .348 attack percentage, and was one of two HBU players to record double-figure kills. Junior outside hitter
Jessica Wooten joined Gillard and led the team with 12 kills.
Senior middle blocker
Allison Doerpinghaus turned in a devastating .545 clip with eight kills on 11 swings, while the Huskies' attack edged Samford .217-.215. Doerpinghaus also collected four blocks (three solo, one assisted) and Wooten picked up three (one solo, two assisted), as HBU finished with 11 total denials at the net.
Junior setter
Kayla Armer improved upon her season-best, amassing 45 assists. Sophomore libero
Hailey Erickson captained the back row with 11 digs for a second consecutive match.
The Huskies struck first, outhitting the Bulldogs .440-.179 to take the opening set 25-19. However, Samford claimed 25-22 and 25-21 victories in the second and third sets to take a 2-1 lead.
HBU bounced back and held the Bulldogs to a .067 attack percentage, forcing seven errors, in a 25-18 win in set four.
In the fifth and deciding set, Doerpinghaus (4) and Gillard (3) combined for seven kills to cap off a 16-14 edging and seal the victory.
The Huskies will close the Jaguar Invitational at 4:00 p.m., facing McNeese State. The match is a non-conference meeting and will not count towards either team's Southland Conference record.
