September 16, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

COLUMBIA, Ky. — Freed-Hardeman University fell in Friday's Mid-South Conference matchup with Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College 3-2 (22-25, 25-16, 26-24, 18-25, 15-10). Both teams' box scores were nearly identical, with the Lady Lions and the Blue Raiders both hitting north of .200; however, with the hosts recording 65 kills to the Lady Lions' 54, the well-fought match ended in favor of LWC.

Despite starting in a 3-0 hole, Freed-Hardeman set the tone by recording 15 kills in the opening frame. Neither team could maintain a comfortable lead, with the match being either tied or separated by one point until an Avery Harris service ace put the Lady Lions on top 21-19. Sitting on set point, Jayden Watkins smashed down a kill to give FHU the first set win 25-22.

It was the Lindsey Wilson (6-7, 2-1 MSC) front row that gave Freed-Hardeman difficulties in the second set. Three of the Blue Raiders' final five points came in the form of blocks, including back-to-back stuffs to end the set and even the match 1-1 with LWC winning 25-16.

Despite collecting nine kills in the third set, a late push by the Blue Raiders the set win. Trailing 19-16, Freed-Hardeman took advantage of an LCU service error by rattling off seven unanswered points to take a 22-19 lead. The hosts, in turn, responded with a 4-0 run of their own to tie the set at 23. After a block gave the Blue Raiders the advantage, an attack that just missed the edge of the line gave LWC the 2-1 match lead with a 26-24 set win.

Freed-Hardeman utilized a slew of LCU attack errors in the fourth set to take the must-win set. The Lady Lions vaulted out to a 12-4 lead capped by a block from Harris and Catherine Hackett. Four service aces in quick succession kept the Blue Raiders within striking distance of the Lady Lions but ultimately the ladies in maroon reigned victorious to force a deciding fifth set.

In the fifth set's race to 15, the heavyweight bout continued with the Lady Lions and Blue Raiders tied at eight. The ninth, and final, service ace by LCU provided the final push needed to win the set and match 15-10.

Donegan tallied a season-high 19 kills in the loss, also pulling up 21 digs to record her season-high for the third time. Hackett and Watkins followed with 10 kills each, while the net presence of Hackett, Harris, and Ann Elise Jackson combined for 16 blocks in the match. Adleigh Mayes led her squad with 25 helpers, with Allie Humphry close behind with 18 assists. Bryce Morris and Charley Fulton posted double-digit dig numbers with 15 and 11 digs, respectively.

Up Next

Freed-Hardeman will hope to reverse their fortunes with a three-match homestand. The Lady Lions will take the court next on September 20 at 7:00 p.m. against Cumberland (Tenn.) University. Tennessee Southern and Thomas More (Ky.) will visit Henderson to wrap up FHU's September schedule.