Late Rallies Lift HLGU Volleyball Past Williams Baptist
WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. — The Hannibal-LaGrange University volleyball team continued its strong conference play Saturday morning, rallying past Williams Baptist University in a 3-1 victory at the Southerland-Mabee Center.
The Trojans took the opening two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-23, dropped the third set 25-15, and responded with a 25-21 victory in the fourth to close out the match. With the win, HLGU improved to 7-12 overall and 4-3 in conference play, while Williams Baptist fell to 11-14 overall and 5-4 in conference action.
HLGU overcame a strong start from Williams Baptist in the opening set. The Trojans built an early 9-3 advantage before the Eagles battled back and eventually took a 24-19 lead. Rather than surrender the set, HLGU responded with seven consecutive points to complete the comeback and steal the opening frame, 26-24. Summer Zelei delivered the final two points of the set, including a service ace and an attack error by Williams Baptist.
The Trojans carried that momentum into the second set, racing out to a 6-0 lead behind Jenna Jobb. Williams Baptist battled back throughout the set, eventually tying the score at 20-20. HLGU responded with another late push, scoring five of the final eight points to take the set 25-23 and move within one set of the victory.
Williams Baptist answered in the third set, taking control after an 8-8 tie. The Eagles went on a decisive run and built a 19-11 advantage before eventually closing out the frame 25-15. Williams Baptist hit .290 in the set, its best offensive performance of the match.
HLGU quickly put the third-set loss behind it in the fourth. The Trojans opened the deciding set with a 6-3 lead and extended the advantage to 11-5. Williams Baptist cut into the deficit, but HLGU continued to answer, eventually taking a 20-12 lead. The Eagles made a late push, cutting the margin to 24-21, but the Trojans held on to finish the match with a 25-21 victory.
Brooke Rocca led HLGU with 11 kills, while Zelei added 10 kills. Jade Clay contributed seven kills, and Emma Dixon and Delaney Eggemeyer each recorded three. Rocca also added two service aces and a block assist, finishing with a team-high 13.5 points.
Jobb provided a major spark from the service line, recording six aces while also collecting 15 digs. Mary O'Rand added 12 digs, and Millirons finished with seven. Eggemeyer directed the Trojans' offense with 30 assists while also contributing two service aces and two blocks.
As a team, HLGU recorded 40 kills, 15 service aces and 59 digs. The Trojans also controlled the match at the service line, using their 15 aces to help overcome Williams Baptist's 45 kills.
The victory marks another important conference win for the Trojans, who showed their ability to battle through late-set deficits and respond after dropping a set. HLGU will look to carry that momentum forward as conference play continues.
