MARSHALL, Texas – In a competitive and lengthy match, East Texas Baptist University volleyball dropped a nail-biter to Hardin-Simmons University, 3-2. ETBU fell behind early losing the first set 25-15, but rallied to win the second and third sets both 25-21. HSU was able to win the fourth set 25-23, and capitalized in the final set to pull off the victory over ETBU, 15-9.

Mallory Sanders led ETBU with 17 kills in the five sets played. She finished the match with 10 digs, and added another double-double to her storied career at ETBU. Kayla Green added another season double-double as well with 23 assists and 12 digs. Elyse Shaw added 18 assists and 13 digs for a double-double as well. Krysten Reed and Morgan Rupp pitched in 12 digs a piece for ETBU.

HSU had a balanced attacking approach against ETBU as five different players had double-digit kills for the contest. Allison Kuster led HSU with 19 kills of her own. Grace Schulz was second on the day with 12 kills, Meagan Bauer and Morgan Prince pitched in 11 kills, and Lauren Pirkey rounded out the top five with 10 kills. Ashley Pierce had 33 assists to lead HSU and Rebekah Hayes added 23 of her own. Kuster and Pierce led HSU with 18 digs and 17 digs respectively. HSU led the match with a .227 hitting percentage.

ETBU will return to action with a road match next Tuesday in Richardson, Texas against the University of Texas at Dallas at 7:00 p.m.