STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The HCU women's volleyball team opened their final tournament of the season before conference play, facing ULM in a tightly contested matchup before taking on Tarleton State later in the day. In their first match against ULM, the final score was ULM 3, HCU 2 (26-24, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14).
In the first set, HCU and ULM traded points throughout a thrilling contest. ULM took an early 3-0 lead, bolstered by strong kills from Ariana Brown, but HCU quickly responded with a kill from
Audrey Pearce. Both teams fought fiercely, with HCU briefly taking a 24-23 lead before ULM secured the set 26-24 following a couple of HCU attack errors.
The second set saw HCU jump to a 3-1 lead thanks to kills from Pearce and
Ana Garza. ULM battled back, tying the set at 5-5, but HCU's defense, led by blocks from Pearce and Garza, helped them regain control. A series of service aces from
Bianca Byerly extended HCU's advantage to 21-15, and the Huskies ultimately closed out the set 25-15, tying the match at one set each.
In the third set, HCU capitalized on early ULM errors to establish a 4-1 lead. After an intense back-and-forth battle, HCU pulled ahead and clinched the set 25-23, with Garza's final kill sealing the victory.
The fourth set was another intense contest, with both teams exchanging leads. HCU gained early momentum, but ULM managed to tie the score multiple times. A service ace from Brown pushed ULM ahead 20-19, but HCU fought back to tie it at 22-22. However, ULM capitalized on HCU's errors, winning the set 25-23 and forcing a fifth set.
In the dramatic finale, HCU initially led with a powerful kill from Garza, but ULM countered effectively. After a tense exchange of points, ULM edged ahead to secure the set 16-14 and win the match.
HCU was led by
Cassidy Drapela with 15 kills, followed by
Ana Garza with 14 and
Audrey Pearce with 12. Pearce also led in blocks with 11, while
Grace McLaughlin recorded 49 assists. Defensively,
Alexia Jones led with 20 digs.
In the second match against Tarleton State, the final score was Tarleton State 3, HCU 2 (20-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-11).
HCU started strong in the first set, taking an early lead at 6-3 with notable kills from Madison Frank and
Bianca Byerly. Despite a few attack errors, HCU maintained control throughout the set, capitalizing on TSU's mistakes to win 25-20.
In the second set, HCU extended their lead to 9-2 after a service ace from Byerly. They continued to dominate, eventually securing the set 25-19 with key contributions from
Emerald Jacobs and
Audrey Pearce.
The third set began with HCU taking a 4-0 lead, but TSU slowly chipped away at that advantage, tying the score at 17-17. Key plays from TSU shifted momentum, allowing them to claim the set 25-17.
In the fourth set, HCU took an early lead, but TSU rallied back to tie at 9-9. The teams exchanged points, but TSU capitalized on crucial HCU attack errors to win the set 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In that final set, both teams exchanged points before TSU sealed the victory 15-11, with a decisive kill from Megan Hodges.
Despite the losses, standout performances marked HCU's effort.
Emerald Jacobs led with 16 kills in the second match against Tarleton State, while
Audrey Pearce and
Ana Garza added 9 each. Pearce also dominated defensively with 7 blocks, supported by
Jade Smith's 6.
Grace McLaughlin orchestrated the offense with 48 assists across both matches, contributing 18 digs, while
Alexia Jones added 2 aces and recorded 13 digs.
HCU will look to rebound in their final tournament match against Alcorn State.
