Searcy, Ark. – The SBU women's volleyball team closed out non-conference play in emphatic fashion Friday evening, dominating Union University in straight sets to finish the Harding Invitational. The victory came after a morning loss to Southern Arkansas and sends the Bearcats into GLVC play with an 8-3 overall record.
SBU began Friday against Southern Arkansas, falling in three sets, 25-17, 26-24, and 25-21. After struggling offensively in the opening set, the Bearcats continued to improve throughout the match, hitting .273 in the second set and .333 in the third. Essence Gilmer led SBU with 10 kills, while Gabriela Dupree and Hanna Klein each added nine. Klein was especially efficient, hitting .364, while Kailey Sexton led the Bearcats at the net with five blocks. Dupree notched an impressive feat in the game reaching 500 career kills.
The Bearcats responded in a big way later that afternoon, putting together one of their most dominant performances of the season against Union. SBU swept the Bulldogs 25-19, 25-13, and 25-5, getting stronger with each set and completely controlling the final two frames.
After hitting .161 in the opening set, the Bearcat offense caught fire, hitting .375 in the second and .400 in the third. On the other side of the net, the SBU defense completely shut down Union's attack. The Bulldogs finished the match with a -.047 hitting percentage, including a -.185 mark in the final set. SBU finished with a .300 hitting percentage while committing just eight attacking errors.
The dominance extended to the net, where the Bearcats recorded 12 blocks compared to just one for Union. Natalie Percival led the charge with seven total blocks, while Klein added six and Sexton finished with five. SBU also held a 6-1 advantage in service aces.
Dupree led a balanced offensive attack with nine kills, while Klein added eight without committing an attacking error, hitting an impressive .533. Gilmer also went without an attacking error, finishing with seven kills on a .412 hitting percentage. Allie Hawk and Danika Mejico each recorded 12 assists, while Chloe Chafins led the Bearcats with nine digs and added two service aces.
The dominant victory gives SBU momentum at the perfect time as the Bearcats now turn their attention toward GLVC play. Southwest Baptist will open conference action on the road Friday, September 18 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis before traveling to McKendree University on Saturday, September 19.
SBU enters conference play at 8-3 overall, highlighted by five straight-set victories through the first three weekends of the season.
