Belton (September 11, 2012) -- The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team opened strong and stormed to a 3-0 victory over LeTourneau University in the Cru’s American Southwest Conference East Division opener Tuesday night in Belton. UMHB improves to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in the ASC with the 25-15, 25-16, 25-11 win. LeTourneau falls to 3-6 overall and 0-1 in ASC play on the year with the loss.
The Cru opened the first set with a 10-4 run before LeTourneau battled back to cut it to 13-9. UMHB answered with three straight points and would not let the Yellow Jackets get closer than six points the rest of the way. Lauren Powell would serve the Cru to a 5-0 lead in the second set, but LeTourneau once again cut the gap, pulling to within 12-8. UMHB would hold an 18-15 lead before scoring seven of the final eight points to claim the set. The Cru broke open the third set by jumping out to 8-1 and 14-3 leads before cruising to the win.
Powell led UMHB with 11 kills and Tina Miller added 10 more. Shelby Prather had 35 assists and Kendra Feldmann recorded a team-high seven digs. Powell and Miller also combined for five service aces and the Cru hit .320 as a team.
Kayla Ronda topped LeTourneau with five kills and eight digs. Sarah Krippner recorded seven assists to lead the Yellow Jackets in the match.
UMHB will continue its home stand with a 2:00 PM match against defending ASC East Division champion U.T.-Dallas this Saturday. UMHB will then play another key ASC East Division match at U.T.-Tyler next Tuesday.
