WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Huntington women’s volleyball team’s 2026 season came to a close Saturday afternoon with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 loss to second-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University in the quarterfinal round of the Crossroads League Tournament.

Facing one of the conference’s top teams, the seventh-seeded Foresters turned in a spirited effort from start to finish. Huntington never backed down from the challenge, particularly in a tightly contested opening set that featured 13 ties.

The Foresters led early and remained within striking distance throughout the first frame. Trailing 24-20, Huntington refused to go away, scoring two straight points and forcing the Wildcats to earn the final point of a hard-fought 25-22 set.

Indiana Wesleyan gradually created separation in the second set, but Huntington continued to compete behind the play of Maggie Hollon, Allie Boyer and Hallie Higgs. The Wildcats eventually secured a 25-18 victory in set two.

The Foresters once again battled in the third set. After falling behind 16-8, Huntington responded with an 8-7 run to trim the deficit and force an Indiana Wesleyan timeout. The Wildcats answered down the stretch and closed out the match with a 25-16 win.

Despite the defeat, Huntington hit a respectable .227 as a team against one of the Crossroads League’s top defensive squads. The Foresters finished with 37 kills, 43 digs and five total blocks.

Maggie Hollon capped her record-breaking season with a match-high 19 kills. She finished second in the NAIA in total kills with 572 and third in kills per set at 4.89.  Allie Boyer added eight kills, while Hallie Higgs contributed six kills. Senior setter Lauren Ross finished with 34 assists as the Foresters continued to run an efficient offense despite the challenging circumstances.

“We had 3 goals today: to have fun and enjoy the love of the game, to be a fierce competitor, and to do it as a family. I couldn’t be more proud of how we fought on the court today. In the midst of challenges, God can work all things together for good,” said Coach Kelsey Herber. “Lauren and Trevyn have been gifts to this program and to my life. It’s been an honor to be their coach, and their competitive and compassionate spirit will live on in this program.”

While the season ended sooner than Huntington hoped, Saturday’s match served as a fitting reflection of the team’s character. Faced with adversity, the Foresters responded with determination, grit and a willingness to compete for one another until the final point. The players who took the floor embraced the opportunity and demonstrated the type of resilience that makes college athletics special.

Huntington closes the 2026 campaign with a 13-20 overall record, a seventh-place finish in the Crossroads League standings, a berth in the conference tournament, and a season highlighted by Hollon’s program-record 572 kills.