ST. LOUIS — The Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions left the UHSP Classic on a high note by sweeping their Saturday matches. After defeating the York (Neb.) University Panthers 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 26-24) they won the go-home match against the Cottey (Mo.) College Comets 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-23).
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Match 1
Freed-Hardeman - 25, 25, 26 (3)
York - 18, 10, 24 (0)
In the opener the Lady Lions (8-4) were on fire offensively by recording at least 13 kills in all three sets. After a back-and-forth start to the match FHU would score eight points out of nine to jump out to an 11-4 lead. The Panthers would bounce back to narrow the gap to 22-17 but
Iza Wos' kill took the opener 25-18.
The Lady Lion began the second frame with a 9-0 run before extending that to a 12-1 lead over the York (6-11) Panthers.
Becca Heineman would record back-to-back aces to push points, but it was
Audrey Orton's kill to move up two sets to zero with a 25-10 victory.
York fought to stay alive in the third set by taking a 12-9 advantage. The Lady Lions would battle back to take a 16-15 lead before the teams traded leads until a 24-24 stalemate. Back-to-back kills from Orton won the set and match 26-24.
Audrey Orton smashed 15 kills in 34 swings to lead the Lady Lions.
Avery Young led on the back row with 11 digs while
Alyssa Austin led with 17 assists.
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Match 2
Cottey - 12, 19, 12 (0)
Freed-Hardeman - 25, 25, 25 (3)
The second match of the day was another offensive clinic with FHU (9-4) recording a .370 attack percentage in the opening set. Though swapping leads to start the match, FHU had a 6-0 run including three consecutive service aces from
Alyssa Austin to take an 11-5 lead. A kill from
Iza Wos wrapped the opener with a 25-12 victory for FHU.
Another fast start pushed FHU over Cottey (4-8) with a 7-2 score. The Comets drew within two points; however, FHU went on a 5-1 run to keep Cottey at bay before
Morgan Jackson's kill won the second set.
Back-to-back blocks from the duo of Jackson and Â
Marija Milic pushed FHU to a 7-1 lead in the finale before Cottey answered in turn with five unanswered points. Cottey would hold a 22-19 lead, but the Lady Lions won seven of the final eight rallies to win the set and match.
Hope Breen led FHU's offense with nine kills with
Autumn Howard anchoring the defense with 19 digs.
Morgan Jackson stood tall at the net with four block assists.
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Up Next
The Lady Lions' road trip continues with a visit to Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on September 16. FHU will finally return home for their first true home match (outside of the FHU Labor Day Classic) on September 23 to open league play against the (RV) Phoenix of Cumberland University.
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