WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

La Crosse, Wisc. – On the biggest stage in program history, the Huntington University women’s volleyball team delivered its most unforgettable comeback to date. The Foresters rallied from an 0–2 hole to topple 19th seed Viterbo in a five-set classic, 20–25, 22–25, 25–18, 27–25, 15–8, securing the first NAIA National Championship Opening Round victory in program history.

While trailing two sets to none, the Foresters demonstrated exactly what makes this team unique. Most squads might fold under that pressure, but HU dug in, fought back, and seized control. They clawed their way past a Viterbo team aiming for its 12th straight NAIA finals site appearance.

After a slow start in the opening two frames, Coach Kelsey Herber and her staff shook up the lineup, shifting from a 5–1 to a 6–2 rotation. The adjustment inserted sophomores Keila Garton and Kinnady Urban, whose combined presence ignited and steadied the team. Garton’s explosive energy sparked the attack, while Urban’s calm, composed presence stabilized the Foresters during high-pressure moments, allowing the offense to flow and giving teammates the confidence to swing freely and fight back point by point.

The comeback unfolded like watching a lone Forester battle a towering tree—each swing thundering with grit, resolve, and refusal to surrender. It didn’t fall in one mighty blow, but through a relentless series of unyielding strikes, sparked by Garton’s fire and Urban’s calm: one Trevyn Terry block at a time, one Leah Carter thunderous kill at a time, one Haley Kruse clutch swing, one Lauren Ross precise set, one Olivia Krahn diving dig, one Ava Myers service ace, one Layla Meyer perfect pass to set up a kill, and one Maisyn Robrock well-placed attack. Point by point, HU chopped away, splintering Viterbo’s control until the momentum creaked, cracked, and exploded in a triumphant victory that belonged entirely to the Foresters.

With the offense retooled, HU exploded to life behind standout performers. Leah Carter hammered down a match-high and career high 19 kills while hitting .432. Trevyn Terry blasted 10 kills at a .350 clip and fortified HU’s block with six stops. Haley Kruse delivered 10 kills, two aces, and a pair of clutch blocks in big moments. Setter Lauren Ross helped orchestrate the 6–2 attack, directing 35 assists while guiding the Foresters to a .198 team hitting percentage.

Defensively, Layla Meyer dove, dug, and deflected a match-high 22 balls to sustain extended rallies and stabilize HU’s serve-receive under Viterbo’s relentless pressure. The Foresters’ block—powered by Terry, Carter, Kruse, and Robrock—racked up six team stops and tightened significantly as the match progressed.

The turning point erupted in the fourth set, where Huntington withstood Viterbo’s late surge and narrowly edged out a 27–25 thriller to force a decisive fifth. With momentum blazing, the Foresters charged through the final frame, racing ahead early and never looking back in a 15–8 clincher.

The victory marks a milestone moment for the program and is a true reflection of how special this team is.  Special team, special plays, and special players. Huntington improves to 25–8 on the season and advances to the NAIA National Championship final site for the first time in school history.

Before the match, sophomore Allie Boyer was honored as Huntington’s Champion of Character award winner for embodying the NAIA core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership in athletics.

HU will now head to Sioux City, Iowa, where pool play in the 46th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship kicks off on December 3rd.