VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington University volleyball team went the distance in a highly contested battle with the Siena Heights Saints (2-1) on Wednesday night before heading back to Huntington with the five set win (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 16-14).

The Foresters  took a 23-20 lead down the stretch in the opening set before the Saints rattled off five straight points for the win. HU took control early in the second set with the help of two service aces from junior Oliva Krahn. Senior Kortney Grimm closed out the third set with a pair of kills and finished the night with a team best 16 kills.

Siena Heights did not go down easy and took a 15-10 lead in the fourth set before HU fought back to tie it up at 16. The two teams traded points before the Saints forced a fifth set with the 25-22 win. The Foresters never trailed in the deciding set and left a steamy Fred Smith Court at the Siena Heights Fieldhouse with a hard fought win.

“I am so proud of our competitive drive and confidence on the floor,” said coach Kelsey Herber. “Lauren Ross ran a beautiful offense and each of our attackers were efficient. We made defensive adjustments, and to come out on top in a five set thriller against a strong team is exciting.”

Maisyn Robrock tallied 15 kills and Haley Kruse 13, while Trevyn Terry contributed 12 kills and a team best 2.5 blocks. Layla Meyer recorded her 1,000thcareer dig midway through the match and led the Forester defense with 18 digs on the night. The Junior libero has 1,011 career digs in her third season and is on pace to crack the top five of the Forester volleyball record books for career digs.

“Layla is a machine. The way she has elevated our team’s defense speaks to the player, athlete, and competitor that she is,” Herber noted. “Her relentless mindset is unmatched and I am honored to be her coach. I am thrilled for her in reaching this milestone.”

The Foresters (4-2) will be back on the road Friday to take on Indiana South Bend and Indiana East in the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tourney in Upland, Indiana. The matchup with IU South Bend is scheduled for 1:30pm, while HU will take on IU East at 6:30pm.