VOLLEYBALL

Seniors Paige Eakright and Elaine Bredensteiner played for the last time in Platt Arena Saturday afternoon but it wasn’t how the pair and the rest of the HU volleyball team wanted the day to go as they suffered a 3-0 loss, 25-23, 25-14, 25-15, to 4th-ranked Indiana Wesleyan (30-1, 16-1).

The Foresters came out ready to go toe-to-toe with one of the nation’s best. Behind six kills from Eakright, Huntington logged 17 kills to IWU’s 14 in the opening set. While HU proved a handful for their visitors, the Wildcats still found a way to get the job done to deny their hosts the early upset.

Of that first set, Herber was elated with the play of her team. “Remember when I said the first two sets against Marian were the best we have ever played? I change my mind. How we came out against IWU today was by far the best volleyball we’ve played all season. I am proud of the way we stepped on the floor with a fearless mentality.”

Unfortunately, the Wildcats came out with guns-a-blazing in the next two sets to make quick work of their hosts.

“Indiana Wesleyan did a good job of making adjustments and we then struggled in sets two and three to swing around their block,” noted Herber. The Wildcats finished with 11 blocks to HU’s two.

Eakright posted a team-high nine kills to lead the Foresters. Lindsay Ingenito tallied six while four other Foresters added four kills apiece. Jennings Tacosik collected 21 assists. Defensively, Ariene Butler and Eakright paced HU with 18 and 11 digs respectively.

Of her seniors, Herber had this to say. “It was a blast celebrating Elaine and Paige today. I may be their coach, but they have taught me so much about what it looks like to love and care for others the way Jesus does.

“We will miss them dearly but are grateful for the impact they’ve had on our program. There will come a time where they are no longer listed on our roster, but they will always be a part of this family.”

Huntington (14-18, 6-11) wraps up the regular season on Wednesday with a road trip to Grace.