Â
NACOGDOCHES, Tx. - The volleyball team travels to Nacogdoches, Texas, Thursday to face Stephen F. Austin in a Southland Conference showdown at 6:00 p.m. The Huskies enter the matchup with a 10-9 overall record and 5-1 in conference play, coming off a 1-3 loss to UT Rio Grande Valley on Oct. 11. HCU has been dominant in SLC action, sweeping McNeese, Nicholls, East Texas A&M, and Northwestern State, and posting a 3-1 win over Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.
The Huskies' balanced attack is led by
Allana Archie, who tops the team with 182 kills and 46 blocks.
Joya Euhus and
Hannah Redrow each have 131 kills, providing multiple scoring options at the net. Setter
Peyton Fadal has tallied 539 assists, distributing the offense effectively, while
Bianca Byerly leads the team with 213 digs. HCU's depth allows them to rotate strong defensive and offensive players seamlessly, giving them an edge in extended rallies and high-pressure situations.
Stephen F. Austin (11-6, 6-0) comes into the matchup with an all win conference record and a roster full of offensive threats. Katherine Holtman leads the Lumberjacks with 190 kills and 23 service aces, while Kyanna Creecy has anchored SFA's blocking game with 60 total blocks. Other key contributors include Ilana De Assis (133 kills) and Camryn Hill (121 kills), making SFA a formidable opponent at the net and from the service line.
Historically, the Huskies have faced challenges against the Lumberjacks. In the last 16 matchups dating back to 2011, SFA holds an 11-5 edge. Last season, the teams battled to a five-set thriller, with Houston Christian falling 3-2 in Hammond, Louisiana. Despite past results, HCU has shown significant growth this season and is poised to challenge SFA's defense while capitalizing on its own strengths.
With a 5-1 Southland Conference record, Houston Christian sits in a tie for second place, just behind SFA, which is undefeated at 6-0. A strong performance Thursday could help the Huskies maintain their position near the top of the league and carry momentum into their next road matchup at Lamar on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. in Beaumont, Texas.
