Howard Payne volleyball earns 3–0 victory behind balanced effort in the Brownwood Coliseum.

Howard Payne University volleyball earned a straight-set victory over Huston-Tillotson on Tuesday evening inside the Brownwood Coliseum, sweeping the Rams 25-19, 25-21, 25-22.

The Lady Jackets controlled the match from start to finish, improving to 8-5 overall on the year. The win came in front of 170 fans and wrapped up in just over an hour of play.

Howard Payne tallied 29 kills as a team, led by Carli Briese who posted seven kills and added two solo blocks for a team-high nine points. Setter Ashlyn Kelly directed the offense with 19 assists, while also contributing four kills and two blocks. Defensively, libero Bryanna Ordaz anchored the back row with 17 digs.

Behind the service line, Sydnie Mullens made a major impact with five aces, while Jadyn White added two more. The Lady Jackets totaled nine service aces on the night.

The Jackets took control of the opening set midway through and never looked back, pulling away late for the 25-19 win. In the second, HPU held off a late Rams push, closing the frame 25-21. The third set proved to be the tightest of the evening, but Howard Payne sealed the match with key points down the stretch to take it 25-22.

"We were consistent in pressure from the service line and did a great job of finishing each set strong," said Interim Head Coach Nick Noll. "Our team showed composure and balance, and this was an important step as we prepare for conference play."

With the result, the Lady Jackets improve to 8-6 overall and return home action on Friday evening at 6:00 pm when they host University of Mary Hardin Baylor inside the Brownwood Coliseum.

By the Numbers

• Carli Briese – 7 kills, 2 blocks, 9.0 points

• Ashlyn Kelly – 19 assists, 4 kills, 2 blocks

• Bryanna Ordaz – 17 digs, 2 assists

• Sydnie Mullens – 5 service aces, 4 digs

• Jadyn White – 8 digs, 2 service aces

• Team – 29 kills, 9 service aces, 43 digs, 6 total blocks