WBU Drops Five-Set Thriller at Home

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.  (9/21/24) – The Williams Baptist University volleyball team fought hard in a 3- 2 loss to Freed-Hardeman in the Southerland-Mabee Center on Saturday afternoon.

Jayla Weddington took the team lead in kills on the day with 14 against the Lions.  Jaycie Cook racked up 27 assists and also led the team in digs with 19.

The Eagles put on a good showing offensively early in the match, taking the first three points and a 4-2 lead in the early going.  After a 5-0 FHU run shifted the momentum and forced a timeout, WBU stormed back with a 5-0 run of its own to tie the match at 13-13.  Freed-Hardeman was able to come out on top late in the set with a 7-1 run to take a 25-19 win in the first frame.

Williams continued to match FHU blow for blow in the second, until the Lions got out to a 20-15 lead.  Undeterred, the Lady Eagles battled back with a 10-3 run punctuated by a kill from Meadow Jones to take a 25-23 win to tie the match at 1-1.

The two sides continued to trade blows in the third.  FHU found itself in a match point situation, but a service error tied the set at 24-24.  A Jayla Weddington kill and a block from Darcy Broglin and Meadow Jones denied Freed-Hardeman the set win and the Eagles went up 2-1 thanks to the 26-24 win.

The Lions responded well in the fourth set, with a 12-3 run giving FHU a 20-12 lead.  WBU fought to close the gap, but ultimately fell 24-19 to force a fifth set. 

Freed-Hardeman took command of the fifth frame with a 7-4 lead to force an Eagle timeout. A 4-2 run capped off by a service error from Freed-Hardeman brought the Eagles within one, but FHU ended on a 6-1 run to take the set 15-9 and win the match 3-2.

The Lady Eagles look to open American Midwest Conference play on the road against Missouri Baptist on Friday, Sept. 27.  The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time in St. Louis, Mo.