LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In the final match of the Philander Smith (Ark.) University Classic, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions suffered their first loss in straight sets to the Eagles of Texas A&M University Texarkana 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-23).
In what has proved to be a theme in the first five matches of the season, FHU (4-1) and TAMUT kept scores close until, with the Lady Lions leading 7-6, FHU watched as TAMUT won the point in seven of the next eight rallies to fall behind 13-8. The Eagles continued to push points that the Lady Lions could not overcome until the claimed victory 25-16.
TAMUT (3-4) continued to swing the ball well into the second frame, smacking a match-high 17 kills. For their first half of the set, the Lady Lions were unable to hold serve, watching the Eagles side out after each FHU serve until
Masey Kate Adams anchored a 3-0 run to tie the match 15-15. Unfortunately for the ladies in maroon, the Eagles would go on a 6-1 run to put the set out of reach before winning the set 25-19.
In the final set, the teams continued to trade blows, with the third frame headlined by 10Â ties and three lead changes. On TAMUT match point,
Ariana Wells kept the Lady Lions' hopes alive with a kill, but the Eagles tallied the set and match point to finish 25-23.
Avery Young was the lone Lady Lion in double figures with 10 kills.
Charley Fulton led the back row with a team-high 12 digs, while
Masey Kate Adams had 21 helpers.
Â
Up Next
The Lady Lions will take a week off before hosting their annual Labor Day tournament. 16 matches will be played across two courts on Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2.
On Friday, FHU will take on Tougaloo (Ala.) College at 5:00 p.m. followed by a match with Fisk (Tenn.) University at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday sees a match against The University of Northwestern Ohio at 12:00 p.m. before meeting former Mid-South Conference foe Tennessee Southern at 4:00 p.m.
