Brownwood, Texas - The University of the Ozarks volleyball team battled Howard Payne University to five sets Saturday morning, but the Yellow Jackets held on for a 25-14, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 15-8 victory.
In game two, Austin College took a 25-20, 25-17, 25-13 decision.
Against Howard Payne, the Eagles responded with a pair of hard-fought victories to force a decisive fifth set. Ozarks won the third set 25-22 before edging Howard Payne 31-29 in an extended fourth set.
The Eagles carried the momentum into the fifth set, but Howard Payne took control early and finished with a 15-8 victory to claim the match.
Caylie Apperson led the Ozarks attack with 12 kills, while
Brooke Humphrey added nine and
Claire Zeiler finished with eight. Zeiler also recorded a team-high five service aces, followed by Apperson with four.
Jillian Childs paced the Eagles with 16 assists, while
Gabby Dotson contributed 12.
Zeiler and Humphrey each recorded 14 digs, while
Madison Widmayer added 10.
Samantha Barnes and Humphrey each had one block.
Ozarks finished the match with 40 kills, 11 aces, one block, 36 assists and 55 digs. Howard Payne totaled 67 kills, seven aces, three blocks, 64 assists and 65 digs.
Against Austin, the Kangaroos closed out the first set 25-20. Austin then took control in the second set, winning 25-17, before completing the sweep with a 25-13 victory in the third.
Brooke Humphrey and
Caylie Apperson led the Eagles with six kills apiece.
Emerson Corbin added four kills, while Apperson also recorded a team-high two blocks.
Jillian Childs paced the Ozarks offense with eight assists.
Anna Campbell contributed five assists and
Gabby Dotson added four.
Claire Zeiler turned in another strong defensive performance, recording a match-high 16 digs.
Madison Widmayer and Humphrey each added four digs.
Ozarks finished the match with 19 kills, two aces, two blocks, 19 assists and 35 digs. Austin recorded 34 kills, 10 aces, four blocks, 33 assists and 45 digs.
The Eagles will host Hendrix College September 25.
