WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington University women’s volleyball team closed the regular season on a high note Wednesday night, sweeping the University of Saint Francis 25-15, 25-20, 25-16 in Crossroads League action at Hutzell Athletic Center. 

The victory improves the Foresters to 13-19 overall and 6-12 in conference play, while the Cougars finish the regular season at 9-21 overall and 5-13 in league action. 

Huntington controlled the match from the opening serve and delivered one of its most efficient offensive performances of the season. The Foresters hit .344 as a team, totaled 47 kills, and limited Saint Francis to a .085 hitting percentage. 

The Foresters set the tone early in the opening set. After falling behind 2-0, Huntington responded with a 10-2 run to seize momentum. Service runs from Ava Johnson and Kennedy Urban helped fuel the surge as the Foresters rolled to a 25-15 victory. 

The second set provided the night’s biggest test. Huntington built an 11-5 advantage before Saint Francis rallied to briefly take an 18-17 lead. Rather than let the set slip away, the Foresters answered with composure, scoring eight of the final 10 points. A key block from Lauren Ross and Trevyn Terry, combined with timely kills from Maggie Hollon, Liz Blackburn and Hallie Higgs, helped Huntington secure a 25-20 win and move within one set of the sweep. 

The Foresters left little doubt in the third set. Huntington raced out to a 9-3 lead and maintained control throughout the frame. Saint Francis trimmed the deficit to 14-12 midway through the set, but the Foresters responded with another run behind Hollon, Ross and Terry before closing out the match with a 25-16 victory. 

The win featured a historic accomplishment from Maggie Hollon, who delivered a dominant performance with 22 kills, a .474 hitting percentage, and seven digs. The sophomore’s effort pushed her season total to 553 kills, breaking Brittney Smelser’s Huntington single-season record of 548 kills set in 2007. 

Head coach Kelsey Herber credited the team’s defensive effort for creating opportunities offensively while recognizing Hollon’s milestone achievement. 

“I thought our defense is what led to our tempo offense and efficiency tonight,” said Herber. “I couldn’t be more proud of Maggie Hollon for breaking the record for most kills in a single season in HU volleyball history. To accomplish this in her sophomore season is impressive, and I’m eager for the rest of her college career!” 

Hollon closes the regular season ranked second in the NAIA in total kills and third nationally in kills per set at 4.85, capping one of the most productive offensive seasons in program history. 

Senior setter Lauren Ross finished her regular season career with one of her most efficient outings of the year, recording 34 assists, five kills on five swings without an error, 10 digs and a block assist. 

Liz Blackburn added seven kills, while Trevyn Terry contributed six kills and a block assist. Hallie Higgs chipped in five kills and a solo block, and Kennedy Urban anchored the defense with 18 digs and two service aces. 

The victory gives Huntington momentum entering postseason play after winning two of its final three regular-season matches. The Foresters responded well following a difficult stretch during the middle of conference play and used Wednesday’s sweep to secure seventh place in the final Crossroads League standings. 

That finish sets up a first-round Crossroads League Tournament matchup against second-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Marion. The Foresters pushed the Wildcats to four sets just one week ago in Platt Arena, highlighted by a dramatic 33-31 opening-set victory, and will look to carry that confidence into the postseason rematch.