Box Score (html)
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Down two sets to none and trailing Henderson State 24-22 in the third set, the chances of SWOSU Volleyball extending their winning streak to four matches looked bleak, but the Bulldogs rallied for four straight points to win the set and went on to finish the comeback, defeating the Reddies in five sets (20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-17, 17-15).
Henderson State used their defense to gain the early edge, holding the Bulldogs to a hitting percentage of under .180 in each of the first two sets while hitting above .300 as a team during that same span. While the Bulldogs hit a similar .184 in the third set, SWOSU turned things around at the defensive end and limited the Reddies to a hitting clip of .182 or less in each of the final three sets, including an .062 output in the fourth.
The Reddies held an advantage in digs of 77-to-65 while SWOSU countered with the edge in blocks by a count of 13-to-7. Even after their hitting improved in the final sets, the Bulldogs still could not match the ending percentage Henderson State, who outhit the Dawgs .213 to .208.
Carly Zak paced the Bulldogs with a double-double of 26 kills and 11 digs while hitting .284 for the match with seven hitting errors on 67 swings. SWOSU's other four main hitters each had at least five kills, with
Kelsi Schmidtberger getting eight,
DeLayni Fine and
Jill Green each putting down seven and
Paige Holt coming through in the middle with five kills and no hitting errors.
Kayla Hebert posted another double-double as well – her eighth of the season – with 52 assists and 12 digs.
Kaitlyn Dillon recorded a team-high 20 digs, giving her 332 this season and tying SWOSU's single-season record for digs by a freshman, a mark set by
Kaila Lancaster in 2012.
Paige Holt had a team-best seven blocks (one solo, six assist) in the match and
Blair Dressendorfer tied a career high with five service aces.
"It's great to see your team respond in the face of adversity," SWOSU Head Coach
Josh Collins said. "We were down and almost out, but our kids accepted the challenge and continued to fight which says a lot about their character. I'm proud of our team, but the road trip isn't over yet we have to be ready to play again tomorrow."
SWOSU (9-13, 6-4 GAC) has now won four consecutive matches and they take their win streak into a meeting with Ouachita – a team that has also won four straight games – on Saturday. That match will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday in Arkadelphia.
