LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After falling in the first set, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions volleyball team battled back to top the Jarvis Christian (Texas) University Bulldogs 3-2 (16-25, 25-14, 25-10, 25-27, 15-7) in the first match of the Philander Smith (Ark.) University Classic.

It was a tough opening set for the Lady Lions (2-0) falling behind 11-4 early. Matters did not improve when FHU found themselves trailing 22-11; however, Catherine Hackett zeroed in from the service line, tallying three consecutive aces to narrow the gap. Ultimately, the Bulldogs held on to claim a 25-16 set win.

Shaking off the rust, the Lady Lions returned to form in the second set, with Alanys Ruíz Rivera leading a 5-0 run over Jarvis Christian (0-1) with a pair of service aces. Masey Kate Adams joined the party by collective back-to-back aces of her own - two of the Lady Lions' 17 service aces across the match. A set of kills from Avery Harris and Catherine Hackett closed the book on a 25-14 second set to even the match.

It took 10 FHU points in the third set before the JCU Bulldogs cracked the scoreboard. Another Hackett kill gave the Lady Lions their biggest lead of the match at 18-4. From there, FHU and JCU traded points but the hot start by the Lady Lions cemented a 25-10 set win.

Jarvis Christian rallied the troops and recorded a match-high 13 kills in the fourth set. A quick start gave the Bulldogs an 8-3 start, but the Lady Lions would chip away to never trail by more than three. A kill from Hackett gave FHU the lead for the first time in the set at 23-22. Continuing to swap points, the Bulldogs ultimately collected the necessary two-point lead to win the set 27-25.

FHU took an early lead in the race to 15 points by jumping ahead 7-2 to trade sides. An attack error from FHU shrunk their lead to four at 9-5, but a five point run from the maroon and grey pushed FHU to match point. Harris slammed down a kill to give the Lady Lions their second win of the season.

The Lady Lions were led by double-doubles from Catherine Hackett and Avery Young, with Hackett tallying 14 kills and 10 digs, while Young's 12 kills coupling with her 11 digs.

Masey Kate Adams helped on the back row with a double-double of her own by pulling up a team-high 18 digs, while assisting on 28 kills. Charley Fulton joined the double-double parade with a 10-assist, 14-dig night.