BROWNWOOD, Texas — Howard Payne University won both of its matches Saturday September 19, at Brownwood Coliseum, defeating the University of the Ozarks (AR) 3-2 before sweeping Austin 3-0 to improve to 6-1 on the season.
The Yellow Jackets controlled the opening two sets with scores of 25-14, 25-16 before Ozarks responded by taking the third and fourth sets. Howard Payne then closed the match with a 15-8 victory in the decisive fifth set.
Howard Payne finished the match with 67 kills and a .287 hitting percentage. Emilee Casey led the Yellow Jackets with 12 kills, while Sam Torres added 11. Keira Jones recorded nine kills and three total blocks, and Abby Henderson also had nine kills.
Addison Roden and Kyah Cleveland combined for 43 assists, with Roden recording 27 and Cleveland adding 16. Howard Payne also recorded 65 digs and seven service aces.
Ozarks was led by Caylie Apperson with 12 kills and four aces. Brooke Humphrey added nine kills and 14 digs, while Claire Zeiler finished with eight kills, five aces and 14 digs. Ozarks finished with 40 kills and a .108 hitting percentage.
Later Saturday, Howard Payne completed the doubleheader with a three-set sweep of Austin, winning 25-19, 26-24, 25-22.
Tara Bennett led Howard Payne with 11 kills and 13 points. Sydnie Mullens added six kills, while Carli Briese had three kills and a block assist.
Emilee Casey contributed four service aces and five digs in two sets of action. Ashlyn Kelly recorded 10 assists, while Emma Rosier had 15 assists and eight digs. Howard Payne finished with 31 kills, seven aces, five total blocks and 62 digs.
The Yellow Jackets overcame an early deficit in the second set against Austin. After trailing 20-13, Howard Payne scored seven straight points to tie the set at 20-20 before eventually winning 26-24.
Howard Payne then closed out the match in the third set, scoring the final two points on a kill by Bennett to take the set 25-22 and complete the sweep. This game also marks the third career victory, and first sweep, against Austin College.
Austin finished with 33 kills and a .068 hitting percentage. Mia Johnson led Austin with 10 kills, while Laynie Kovacs recorded 26 digs.
The two victories moved Howard Payne to 6-1 on the season.
Up Next: The Lady Jackets will play Dallas Christian College at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas on Tuesday, September 22 at 4:00 PM CT.
