VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington volleyball team (8-13, 4-6) got off to a great start Saturday afternoon at Platt Arena by winning their first set against #RV Saint Francis before dropping the next three for a 3-1 loss (25-17, 18-25, 20-25, 32-30). The USF win avenges a 3-1 loss to the Foresters in the league opener a few weeks back.

The fourth set was one for the books as both squads refused to go down without a fight. The game extended well beyond the traditional 25-point finish with the Cougars, after five ties, eventually stringing together back-to-back points for the set and match win.

Kortney Grimm packed a punch with a match-high 16 kills. She also tracked down ten digs and finished with two aces for an all-around great performance. Haley Kruse and Tya Bynum added nine and seven kills respectively. Leah Carter and Mariah Milledge each put down five in addition to logging two blocks apiece.

Morgan Robrock ran the offense by doling out 38 assists while posting ten digs, four kills, two aces and 1.5 blocks.

“This was a match that we needed to win for the sake of the conference standings, and I told the team we have to hate this feeling,” said Coach Kelsey Herber. “Competitors allow the pain to motivate them moving forward.

“We will be better because of this. There’s no other option. Failure is not final. In fact, it can be one of our greatest tools to pursue growth and success.”

Herber and crew head to #11 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday.