WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington University volleyball team earned its first Crossroads League victory of the season Wednesday night, sweeping Bethel University 25-21, 25-19, 25-16 inside Platt Arena. 

The win improved the Foresters to 5-9 overall and 1-2 in conference play while snapping a two-match league skid. 

Huntington controlled the match from the outset, hitting .412 in the opening set before maintaining the momentum throughout the evening. The Foresters finished with a .284 attack percentage, their highest mark in conference play this season, while limiting the Pilots to a .098 hitting percentage. 

Sophomore Maggie Hollon continued her standout season with a match-high 18 kills and 11 digs. Hollon reached double figures for the 12th consecutive match and once again led the Forester attack as Huntington recorded 43 kills in the three-set victory. 

Freshman Liz Blackburn turned in one of the best performances of her young collegiate career, totaling 11 kills while hitting an impressive .421. Blackburn consistently found openings in the Bethel defense and provided Huntington with a strong second offensive option throughout the evening. 

Trevyn Terry added six kills and hit .308, while Allie Boyer chipped in three kills and a .300 hitting percentage. Senior setter Lauren Ross continued to direct a balanced offense, recording 33 assists while adding three kills, seven digs and a service ace. Ross helped Huntington hit above .300 in each of the first two sets as the Foresters built momentum throughout the match. 

Defensively, Kennedy Urban anchored the back row with 22 digs, while Ava Johnson and Jadyn Samson each recorded service aces. Hallie Higgs added three blocks, including two solo stuffs, as Huntington totaled six team blocks. 

The Foresters were particularly sharp on the defensive end in the final set, holding Bethel to a -.029 hitting percentage while pulling away for a convincing 25-16 victory to complete the sweep. 

Head coach Kelsey Herber was pleased with her team’s performance and growth. 

“I could not be more proud of our team,” said Herber. “To get our first conference win and do it in sweep fashion will build confidence in this team. We will seek to continue to grow each day. Lauren Ross ran a tempo offense that kept Bethel’s defense guessing, and our blocking discipline elevated our backcourt play. Now we prepare for the Cougars on Saturday!” 

The victory improved Huntington to 5-9 overall and 1-2 in Crossroads League play. The Foresters will look to build on the momentum from Wednesday’s sweep when they host Spring Arbor University inside Platt Arena on Saturday for a 1 p.m. conference matchup.