ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Henderson State University volleyball team (0-2) dropped its first two matches of the season, 3-0, to Southwest Baptist and Texas A&M Commerce, Friday night in the Duke Wells Center to start the Henderson State University Classic.

GAME ONE
The Lady Reddies faltered in their first game of the season against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats (1-1) in three sets, 25-10, 25-18, 25-8.

Only returning two to this year's roster, the Lady Reddies struggled to find their rhythm offensively, but saw positive sparks intermittently throughout the match.

Returners Cheyenne Derr (Sr., Mansfield, Ark.) and Jessica Moss (Jr., Garland, Texas) led HSU both posting some of the top kills in the match. Henderson State totaled 15 kills, with four newcomers getting at least one, but the Lady Reddies only hit at -.108 in the loss.

HSU saw strength in its serving, topping out the Bearcats in aces, 7-4.

Libero Lindsey Calabrese (Jr., Yuba City, Calif.) led the Lady Reddies with seven digs. Newcomers Katrina Goulbourne (Jr., San Jose, Calif.) and Taylor Thompson (Jr., Yuba City, Calif.) also contributed with five digs a piece.

Not seeming to be fazed about starting her first match as a Lady Reddie, Calabrese came out strong with two service aces. Southwest Baptist made a fast comeback, going on a 7-0 run, putting HSU down early 7-2. Freshman Jessie Jacoby (Gilmer, Texas) broke up the rally with her first and the Lady Reddies first kill of the season.

With only five kills, HSU was outmatched in set one as Southwest Baptist finished in double figures of 13 with only one attack error.

Looking to rebound in set two, Henderson State started off the same way as the first set, taking an early 2-0 lead. The Bearcats and the Lady Reddies battled back and forth, until Southwest Baptist took a six point lead, and head coach Rhonda Thigpen called a timeout to stop the run. HSU fought back and was only down by one at 19-18, but fumbled in its last ditch efforts and lost the set, 25-18.

Unable to retain the momentum, the Lady Reddies fell in the final set, 25-8.

GAME TWO

HSU, who coincidently faced the TAM-Commerce Lions the previous season in the HSU Classic, saw familiar results and dropped straight sets, 25-14, 25-16 and 25-14.

Moss and Goulbourne once again were the Lady Reddies' leaders at the net with seven and five kills, respectively.

Moss also stood her ground at the net as she finished with two blocks in the match, helping HSU to out block the Lions, 3-2.

TAM-Commerce posted 39 kills to HSU's 21 and earned a .378 attack percentage to Henderson States' .098.

The Sharks will conclude the two-day tournament with two games against the University of Central Oklahoma and Christian Brothers University at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.