ABILENE, TX --The Howard Payne volleyball team fell to the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls in three sets (15-25, 21-25, 16-25) Friday on the road at Mabee Complex.

The loss dropped Howard Payne's record to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in ASC play.

Makenzie Weddel finished with 12 kills on the day to lead the Yellow Jackets attack while finishing with a hitting percentage of .28. got 17 digs from Kassidy Johnson to lead them defensively.

Game Notes

» Kassidy Johnson had a team-high one ace in the loss.
» Makenzie Weddel had a match-high 12 kills for Howard Payne.
» Howard Payne got a team-high 17 digs from Kassidy Johnson.
» Howard Payne attackers were helped by a team-high 19 assists from Riley Brittain.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Yellow Jackets fell behind early, dropping a tough first set 25-15. Howard Payne trailed by as many as 10 points as Hardin-Simmons never gave up the lead.

SET 2 | Howard Payne fell in the second set 25-21, digging a 2-0 hole in the match. The Yellow Jackets trailed by as many as six points as Hardin-Simmons grabbed the advantage for good at 11-10 in a set that was knotted up five times before the Cowgirls took over the lead.

SET 3 | Howard Payne couldn't prolong the match and lost in set number three. The Yellow Jackets fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before falling in the set 25-16.

The Lady Jackets will take on McMurry University Saturday, September 15th at 12:00 PM as they look to bounce back and earn their first conference win of 2023.