Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SHERMAN, Texas — The Howard Payne University volleyball team opened its season with a tri-match Tuesday, September 1, earning a hard-fought five-set victory over Paul Quinn before dropping a four-set decision to Austin College.

The season-opening win over Paul Quinn College begins a new era for Howard Payne volleyball, as first-year head coach Amy Farber Teal recorded her first win at the helm for the Lady Jackets. A seasoned coach with years of Division I experience, Tuesday's victory marks win number 176 of her head coaching career.

Game 1 vs Paul Quinn College

Howard Payne survived a back-and-forth battle for a 25-19, 16-25, 24-26, 25-13, 15-8 victory over the Lady Tigers. HPU totaled 73 kills while hitting .241 and recorded 92 digs in the five-set marathon.

Sydnie Mullens led Howard Payne with 18 kills and a .417 attacking percentage while adding 16 digs and two service aces. Tara Bennett chipped in 14 kills and 13 digs, while freshman Londynn Whitworth added six kills on a blistering .500 hitting percentage. Kaylee Honc, another freshman, contributed seven kills and three total blocks.

Howard Payne jumped out quickly in the opening set behind six kills from Mullens and took a 1-0 match lead. Paul Quinn answered in the second set and edged the Lady Jackets in a tightly contested third set, winning 26-24 to move within one set of the match victory.

The Lady Jackets responded emphatically in the fourth set, hitting .393 while holding Paul Quinn to a negative attack percentage in a 25-13 win that forced a decisive fifth set. Howard Payne carried that momentum into the tiebreaker, racing to an 11-4 advantage behind key kills from Bennett, Mullens and Honc before closing out the 15-8 victory.

"It was a great, hard fought match," Coach Farber Teal said. "It was a very respectable Paul Quinn side who was 9-1 already on the season. We came out on fire, but Paul Quinn responded well and forced us lock in for what turned into an impressive comeback for the girls."

Emma Rosier dished out 25 assists, while Addison Roden added 13 assists and two service aces. Jadyn White anchored the defensive effort with 19 digs.

Game 2 vs Austin College

Howard Payne fell to the Kangaroos 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21. The Lady Jackets were limited to a .178 team attack percentage while Austin College hit .261 and totaled 61 kills.

Mullens again paced Howard Payne with 12 kills and nine digs. Emilee Casey added eight kills on a .273 hitting percentage, while Honc recorded eight kills and two block assists. Sam Torres provided six kills while hitting .353 in limited action.

Howard Payne battled back after dropping the first set, using a strong start and balanced attack to claim the second set 25-21. Austin College responded by hitting .444 in the third frame and controlled much of the fourth set to secure the match.

"Overall, I was incredibly proud of how the ladies competed and battled with great heart and determination," Amy Farber Teal shared, reflecting on over five hours of continuous action for her squad. "To me it was a great start to the season with so much to look forward to as we continue to train and grow together."

Rosier finished with 22 assists and six digs, while Roden added 16 assists. White collected a match-high three service aces and 18 digs, helping the Lady Jackets post 69 team digs.

Howard Payne concludes the day with a 1-1 record, highlighted by head coach Amy Farber Teal's first victory at the helm of the Lady Jackets.

Up Next

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Friday, September 11 when they travel to Irving, Texas for another tri-match with Arlington Baptist and University of Dallas. HPU will begin proceedings against ABU at 3:00 p.m. Central Time.