October 14, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Thursday night, Freed-Hardeman sent back 13 attempts by the visiting Lyon (Ark.) College Scots as blocks. Avery Harris helped for more than half of that total, posting a career-high seven blocks in a 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17) victory.

The opening set proved that no love had been lost between the former TranSouth Conference and American Midwest Conference foes, with Freed-Hardeman (12-20, 3-6 MSC) and Lyon drawing even with each other 13 times in the first frame. Tied as late as 22-22, it was a block by the Averys (Avery Harris and Avery Young) that led to an attack error from Lyon to give FHU the victory in the first set 25-22.

Not only a talent on the front row, Harris showed her ability at the service line, victimizing Lyon (9-11, 3-2 AMC) to back-to-back service aces to help FHU push points to eventually take the second set 25-17.

Down by six points and unwilling to go down by way of the sweep, Lyon utilized an 8-1 run to stun the Lady Lions in the fourth set. FHU tied the frame late at 14-14, but the morale had shifted towards the Scots who won the third set 25-18.

Shaking off the third set which saw the girls in maroon commit a match-high 13 errors, Freed-Hardeman answered with a set that saw them swing at a .208 clip. Meanwhile, great placement by the Freed-Hardeman defense made it difficult to find an open lane, leading to 12 attack errors in the set for the Scots. To put a bow on her career night, Avery Harris involved herself in the final two points of the match. After sending back one Lyon attack by way of the solo block to set up match point, she joined with Ashlynne Clifft to end the set and the match with a 25-17 score.

With seven blocks, sophomore Avery Harris recorded three by herself while assisting on four more. Jayden Watkins continues to find her marks well, tallying 13 kills at a .281 percent mark. Kacey Donegan followed with 10 kills of her own. Bryce Morris, Allie Humphry, and Adleigh Mayes bolstered the back row, pulling up 14, 11, and 10 digs, respectively. Humphry's torrid pace with setting the Lady Lions has her staring down the next rung on the Lady Lions' all-time assists leaderboard. The senior now needs 39 assists to take sole possession of fifth place.

Up Next

Freed-Hardeman returns to Mid-South Conference play on Saturday, October 15 with a trip to Pulaski where they will face UT Southern. Freed-Hardeman won a thrilling five-set match in late September and will look to complete the season sweep beginning at 3:00 p.m.