ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne University volleyball team fell to Hardin-Simmons University 3-1 on Saturday at the Mabee Complex, dropping the American Southwest Conference matchup by scores of 21-25, 25-21, 21-25 and 16-25.
The Yellow Jackets finished with 50 kills and 67 digs. Senior Tara Bennett led HPU offensively with 16 kills and added nine digs. Sydnie Mullens contributed 10 kills, while Madai Suarez recorded seven kills.
Emma Rosier led the Yellow Jackets with 24 assists and added eight digs. Baylee Burns finished with 11 digs, tying Jayden White for the team lead.
HPU battled throughout the opening set, recording 14 kills, but Hardin-Simmons pulled away late to take the set 25-21. The Yellow Jackets responded in the second set, using a strong offensive effort to earn a 25-21 win and even the match at one set apiece.
Hardin-Simmons regained control in the third set, winning 25-21, before closing out the match with a 25-16 victory in the fourth.
Howard Payne fell to 12-8 overall and 2-5 in ASC play. Hardin-Simmons improved to 13-10 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
UP NEXT: Howard Payne will head back to Brownwood to take on UMHB in a much anticipated match-up. The match will take place at the Brownwood Coliseum on Friday, October 30 at 6:00 PM.
