VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington volleyball team stretched its win streak to four Tuesday night with a five-set barnburner, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13, over Roosevelt University in Platt Arena. Just five matches into the season, the Foresters have already snagged a pair of five-set Ws.

Down 13-11 in the decisive fifth set, the Foresters played perfect volleyball to reel off four straight points to steal the match from their visitors. Brea Metz capped off the come-from-behind rally with back-to-back kills for points 14 and 15. The final two points proved to be HU’s only advantages of the set.

“I love that this team never counts themselves out of a match,” said Herber. “That is the exact mentality that is going to transform a good team into a great team.

“Brea Metz had two big time kills when the match was on the line. After coming off an ACL injury, I am extremely proud of how aggressive she is playing. That’s mental toughness at its finest.”

But the Lakers didn’t go down without a fight. Their defense at the net was at times stifling as they finished with 15 blocks, seven from their middle Alyssa Stilley, to HU’s three. Despite the visitors’ wall, Huntington put down 54 balls. Paige Eakright topped both teams with 21 kills. Metz finished with ten while Jennings Tacosik added nine on 13 swings.

Tacosik also orchestrated the offense by dishing out 40 of her team’s 44 assists. The 5-9 setter was one kill away from a triple double as she also recorded 12 digs.

Defensively, Ariene Butler paced five Foresters in double-digit digs with 20. Nicole Flickinger collected 18. Josephine Rammel posted 12 digs, as did Tacosik, while Eakright finished with 11. In addition to not letting many balls hit the floor, HU also took advantage of 20 Laker service errors while committing just eight themselves.

“Roosevelt challenged us tonight and played an outstanding first match of their season,” noted Herber. “I’m thankful we are being pushed in preseason before we enter conference play.”

The Foresters (4-1) will look to keep their winning ways alive Saturday when they host IU East at 5:00 p.m.