August 30, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — After besting the Lady Eagles of Williams Baptist (Ark.) University in straight sets to open the 2022 campaign, the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions made it six straight sets over their former American Midwest Conferece foes by defeating WBU 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-18) in Arkansas.

Freed-Hardeman (3-2) relied on their service attack, recording 13 services across all three sets, with Charley Fulton pacing her Lady Lions with four. Three of those came in succession to open the first set, when, the maroon and grey tied 5-5 with the blue and white, Fulton's aces put FHU on top 9-5. A 6-0 run by Freed-Hardeman in the middle of the set put the Lady Lions comfortably on top for the 25-15 set win.

The second set had senior Bryce Morris take up residence in the backcourt, serving for 14 rallies to vault her Lady Lions to a 25-7 victory in the second frame. 

Williams Baptist (1-8) had their best set in the third set, tallying a match-high 10 killls. Tied at 10-10 the Lady Lions began to inch their way forward after a kill from Avery Harris was followed by back-to-back services aces from newcomer Autumn Howard. With Jayden Watkins slamming down two of her five kills of the set, Freed-Hardeman completed the sweep by winning the third set 25-18.

Watkins again led Freed-Hardeman with 12 kills, more than double the second-highest Lady Lion's offensive output. Morris's 10 digs was closely followed by Howard's nine. The one-two put of the Lady Lion setters spread out the assists between Adleigh Mayes and Allie Humphry to 12 and nine assists, respectively. Ann Elise Jackson continues to be an immovable force at the net, recording four solo blocks. Jackson now finds herself in the top 10 in Lady Lion history with 178 career blocks.

Up Next

The Lady Lions return to Henderson in preparation for hosting a Labor Day Tournament. 14 matches will be played across two days with FHU competing in four. The Lady Lions will find themselves matching up for a doubleheader on Friday, September 7, facing Tougaloo (Ala.) College at 5:00 p.m. and Fisk (Tenn.) University at 7:00 p.m.