August 26, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After a long wait to begin playing volleyball again, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions opened the 2022-23 campaign with a victory in straight sets over Williams Baptist (Ark.) University 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-21).

Freed-Hardeman (1-0) began their season with a 13-kill set where the girls in maroon did not commit a single error. In the opening set, FHU had four service aces shared among Charley Fulton, Avery Harris, Allie Humphry, and Adleigh Mayes. On the attacking front, freshman Catherine Hackett's collegiate debut saw her record a team-high five kills in the set.

Despite only recording three kills in the second set, Williams Baptist (0-5) took advantage of six Freed-Hardeman attack errors to keep their former American Midwest Conference foe from extending the lead. Never leading by more than five points, FHU leaned on senior setter Allie Humphry who spent two extended trips to the service line where she collected three aces in the second frame. Kacey Donegan began to warm up by tallying five kills in the set.

A back-and-forth third set saw the Lady Lions and Lady Eagles swap leads seven times, while drawing even 10 times. Tied as late as 20-20, sophomore Adleigh Mayes rattled off three straight service aces to give her squad breathing room to shut the door on the first match with a straight-set victory. Jayden Watkins helmed the attack with a five-kill third set.

FHU was led on the attack by Watkins, who amassed 13 kills in 19 attempts, committing just one error. Donegan was not far behind with 10 kills. Humphry and Mayes had nearly idential matches, with both posting four service aces and Mayes adding 19 assists to Humphry's 15. Defensively, Bryce Morris and Donegan led FHU with eight digs each.