HLGU Battles Past Central Baptist in Four Sets
CONWAY, Ark. — The Hannibal-LaGrange University volleyball team battled through a back-and-forth contest Friday afternoon, earning a 3-1 victory over Central Baptist College at Reddin Fieldhouse.
The Trojans dropped the opening set 25-15 before responding with three consecutive set victories, taking the second set 25-23, the third 25-22 and the fourth 25-23. With the win, HLGU improved to 6-14 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while Central Baptist fell to 3-15 and 0-6.
HLGU found itself in an early hole after Central Baptist controlled the opening set. The Trojans struggled offensively in the first, recording eight kills against nine errors and hitting -.025 as a team. Central Baptist used a .125 hitting percentage to take the first set, 25-15.
The Trojans answered immediately in the second set. HLGU jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage and continued to battle throughout the frame. After the set was tied at 23-23, HLGU scored the final two points to secure a 25-23 comeback victory and even the match at one set apiece.
The third set remained tight throughout, but HLGU used a late surge to pull away. With the Trojans trailing 19-12, HLGU rallied to tie the set at 19-19. The Trojans then scored six of the final nine points to finish off the comeback, taking the set 25-22 and moving ahead 2-1.
HLGU carried that momentum into the fourth set, building an early 6-3 lead and eventually taking a 16-13 advantage. Central Baptist battled back and eventually grabbed a 22-20 lead, but the Trojans responded with five of the final six points to close out the match. HLGU scored four straight points to move from 20-22 to 24-22 before Brooke Rocca finished the match with a kill, giving the Trojans a 25-23 victory.
Jade Clay led the Trojans offensively with 19 kills on 49 attacks, while Summer Zelei added 13 kills and hit .321. Sophia Wallace contributed 11 kills, and Brooke Rocca finished with 10 kills. As a team, HLGU recorded 62 kills and hit .134 for the match.
Delaney Eggemeyer orchestrated the offense with 52 assists while also adding 15 digs. Jenna Jobb led the defensive effort with 22 digs, while Jillian Millirons recorded 13 digs and Mary O'Rand added 11. Zelei also contributed 10 digs to the defensive effort.
The Trojans' ability to respond after dropping the opening set proved to be the difference, as HLGU finished the match by winning three straight sets and securing the four-set road victory.
HLGU finished the match with a .134 hitting percentage compared to Central Baptist's .108. The Trojans also held advantages in kills, 62-34, and digs, 90-76.
