WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington University women’s volleyball team suffered a disappointing 25-19, 25-21, 25-22 setback to Bethel University on Wednesday night in Crossroads League action. 

The loss drops the Foresters to 11-15 overall and 4-8 in conference play. Bethel entered the match having lost 15 consecutive sets and had not won a match since a September 12th victory over Goshen. The Pilots also entered the evening looking to avenge a 3-0 loss to Huntington in Platt Arena on September 9th. Bethel accomplished both goals, snapping its skid with a straight-set victory over the Foresters. 

The opening set was tightly contested early, with the score tied at 12-12 before Bethel used a 5-0 run to create separation. Huntington could get no closer than four points the rest of the way as the Pilots claimed a 25-19 victory. 

The Foresters appeared poised to even the match in the second set. Huntington built an early lead and later held a 21-20 advantage following a Bethel attack error. The Pilots responded with five straight points to close the frame, taking a 25-21 win and a 2-0 lead in the match. 

Huntington continued to battle in the third set. The Foresters erased a four-point deficit and tied the score at 15-15 before later deadlocking the set at 20-20. Once again, however, the Pilots delivered the closing run, scoring five of the final seven points to complete the sweep. 

Offensive efficiency proved to be the difference. Bethel finished with 40 kills and a .184 hitting percentage, while Huntington was limited to 28 kills and a .000 attack percentage. The Pilots also held an 11-7 advantage in total blocks. 

Trevyn Terry led Huntington with nine kills while hitting .261 and adding three blocks. Maggie Hollon finished with eight kills, two service aces and four blocks, while Lauren Ross totaled 22 assists, 10 digs and three kills. Kennedy Urban added nine digs, Hallie Higgs recorded four blocks, and Allie Boyer chipped in four kills for the Foresters. 

Wednesday’s defeat was a missed opportunity for a Huntington team looking to improve its standing in the crowded middle of the Crossroads League race. Huntington returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Foresters travel to Spring Arbor University for another Crossroads League matchup. With only a handful of conference matches remaining, Huntington will look to bounce back and remain in the hunt for postseason positioning.