HENDERSON — Before a big Mid-South weekend, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions hosted the Lady Pioneers of Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) College in a non-conference matchup. The Lady Lions swept past the visitors 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-22).

Freed-Hardeman (11-10, 0-7 MSC) asserted dominance early when Alanys Ruíz Rivera planted three service aces amidst a 7-1 run to start the match. FHU's attack was stifling, with FHU collecting 14 kills at a .429 clip. Ruíz Rivera ended the set the same way she began: on a lengthy run. The senior collected two more service aces in a seven-point unanswered streak that ended with a kill from Ann Elise Jackson with a 25-10 set win.

The Lady Pioneers (8-11, 2-5 CAC) were unshaken, storming into a second frame where there would be seven ties and five lead changes. After jumping ahead 12-6, the Lady Lions watched as the Lady Pioneers put together a six-point rally to tie the set 12-12 and force an FHU timeout. Ariana Wells exited the break with a kill, but CRC pushed points to take a 16-13 lead. The Lady Lions righted the ship in time for Wells to collected two more kills to win the set 25-21.

Despite a late push from the visitors, the Lady Lions' 14 kills in the third set were enough to claim the set and the match with a 25-22 third set.

The Lady Lions hit a sweltering .292 as a team with 41 total kills. Ann Elise Jackson and Avery Harris paced the Lady Lion offense, both tallying 10 kills. Charley Fulton again led the back row with 14 digs, while Morgan Wilson helped with 35 assists. 
 

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Up Next

The Lady Lions have a weekend of Mid-South Conference play beginning on Friday, October 20 against the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) at 6:00 p.m. before celebrating Senior Day before the match against the Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers on Saturday, October 21 beginning at 2:00 p.m.