ABILENE, Texas --The Howard Payne University volleyball team won the first set, but couldn't hang on and fell in four sets (25-13, 12-25, 23-25, 20-25) to the Hardin-Simmons University Cowgirls Friday on the road at Mabee Complex.
The loss dropped Howard Payne's record to 9-8 overall and 0-6 in ASC play.
The Yellow Jackets were led by a double-double from Tara Bennett, who registered 10 kills and 10 digs on the day. Makenzie Weddel also added nine kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Kassidy Johnson chipped in for with 20 digs to go with two blocks from Abby Henderson.
Game Notes
» Tara Bennett had a match-high four aces in the loss.
» Tara Bennett registered a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs
» Howard Payne never trailed on the way to winning the first set 25-13.
» Tara Bennett had a team-high 10 kills for Howard Payne.
» Howard Payne got a match-high 20 digs from Kassidy Johnson.
» Howard Payne attackers were helped by a team-high 18 assists from Jolee Van Dyke.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Yellow Jackets took control on the first point and held the lead the rest of the way to secure the first set 25-13. Howard Payne led by 12 points at 24-12 before finishing off the set. Howard Payne also supplemented their offense with four aces in the opening set.
SET 2 | Howard Payne then dropped the second set 25-12, evening the match at a set apiece. The Yellow Jackets dropped the first point and never clawed back into the lead before dropping the set.
SET 3 | A set-three loss put Howard Payne down 2-1. The Yellow Jackets dropped set three 25-23. Hardin-Simmons grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that was tied up five times before the Cowgirls took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 4 | Howard Payne lost set four and the match, falling 25-20. Hardin-Simmons grabbed the advantage for good at 16-15 and Howard Payne was never able to recover in a set that was tied up seven times before the Cowgirls took over in the second half of the stanza.
The Lady Jackets will take on Schreiner University in a neutral site game in Abilene on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
