SHERMAN, Texas - The Howard Payne University volleyball team returns to Austin College on Sunday, September 27 for a second time this season to face off with both the Lady Kangaroos and the University of the Ozarks Eagles for a third time in Hughey Gymnasium.
The three programs last met at Brownwood Coliseum on Saturday, September 19. Howard Payne comes into Sunday 2-0 against UofO and 1-1 against Austin College. The Lady Jackets will start the day at 2:00 p.m. against Ozarks, immediately followed by a 4:00 p.m. first serve against the hosting Lady Roos.
WHERE TO FOLLOW
LOOKING FOR RHYTHM
- Howard Payne had a six-match winning streak snapped by #12 East Texas Baptist on Thursday night in a three-set loss to the Tigers.
- After another loss in three sets to Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday afternoon, the Lady Jackets take the floor looking to prevent a two-game losing stretch from growing any larger.
AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
- HPU had their way with the Lady Eagles in their first meeting on Friday, September 18, sweeping Ozarks in Brownwood Coliseum by scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-6.
- UofO came out firing the following morning against Howard Payne in a rematch, taking the Lady Jackets the distance where the hosts ultimately pulled away in five sets, 25-14. 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, and 15-8.
- These two matches are the only in program history for HPU against the Lady Eagles, a school in just their second season with a varsity volleyball program.
AGAINST AUSTIN COLLEGE
- Austin College took down Howard Payne in their first meeting this season on Tuesday, September 1, 22-25, 25-21, 16-25, 21-25.
- The loss sparked the Lady Jackets' aforementioned six-game winning streak, including Howard Payne's convincing sweep of the Lady Roos on Saturday, September 19, 25-19, 26-24, and 25-22.
- The rubber match on Sunday will be the 20th meeting all-time between both programs, with the Roos leading the series 16-3.
- Howard Payne is looking to defeat Austin College twice in a season for the first time in program history under first-year head coach, Amy Farber Teal.
WHO'S HEATING UP?
- For Howard Payne, Tara Bennett was in a league of her own Saturday night against Mary Hardin-Baylor, logging 13 kills in just three sets. Bennett also made it a double-double with 14 digs, her fourth of the season.
- Londynn Whitworth leads the Howard Payne defense after recording seven blocks through the squad's first two American Southwest Conference matches.
WHAT'S NEXT
- Howard Payne continues to prepare for ASC league play with another non-conference affair on Tuesday, September 29 against Palo Alto College. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. at Brownwood Coliseum.
