MCKENZIE, Tenn. — Despite leading the Bethel University Lady Wildcats in multiple statistical categories, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions fell in a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19) decision Thursday night.
After trading points, the Lady Lions (12-13, 1-7 MSC) called a timeout after the Wildcats scored five unanswered points to take an 11-7 lead early in the first set. The meeting of the minds did the trick, as FHU came out of the timeout on a 7-1 streak to take a 14-12 lead. The Lady Lions kept the Wildcats at arm's length the rest of the set whe
Audrey Orton's kill closed the book on a 25-19 set win for the Lady Lions.
The second set was equally close until the Lady Wildcats (13-7, 3-4 MSC) sped away on an 8-1 run to take a 14-9 lead. FHU eventually climbed back within one point where
Avery Harris tallied three consecutive kills to return to serve, but every time the Wildcats answered. A late push from the hosts tied the match with Bethel winning 25-20.
Bethel stormed out in the third set by scoring the first five points, but again the Lady Lions climbed their way back, eventually knotting the set 14-14 after a tandem block from Harris and
Alyssa Austin. Back-to-back kills from Harris and Orton gave FHU their first lead of the set, but Bethel answered and kept the Lady Lions at bay until winning the set 25-22.
FHU opened the fourth set strong, but Bethel's front row stood strong, blocking attempt after attempt by the Lady Lions until the 25-19 set ended the night for FHU.
Alanys Ruíz Rivera and
Audrey Orton led the Lady Lions with double-doubles: Ruiz Rivera tallying a team-high 14 kills while Orton garnered 12. Both all-rounders pulled up 13 digs. Both front rows were active with the teams combining for 16 blocks with
Alyssa Austin leading the FHU defense by being involved in four blocks.
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Up Next
The Lady Lions embark on a Kentucky road trip where they will first meet the (RV) University of the Cumberlands Patriots on October 24 before visiting the Tigers of Georgetown College on October 25.
