ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — The Reddies got back on track Sunday with a decisive 3-0 victory over Lemoyne-Owen and will look to build on that success as they get set for a big challenge this weekend in Oklahoma.
Despite many memorable moments, Henderson State (9-9, 2-3) has been unable to find much consistency in the first half of the season, as the Reddies have yet to put together three-straight wins. HSU will have an opportunity to climb back into the top half of the GAC standings this weekend when it faces league leader Oklahoma Baptist on Friday and Southern Nazarene on Saturday.
When attacking, the Reddies are led by senior Courtney Bolf, who has picked up her game in the last two weeks to the tune of 61 kills and an attacking percentage of 21.3%. The Reddies have also been spurred on by freshmen Matti Fairchild and McKenzie Tuyo.
In the past three weeks, Fairchild has emerged as a defensive asset for the Reddies, notching 10 or more digs in four contests. Tuyo, known for her leaping ability, also provides a spark off the bench and collected eight kills at Southern Arkansas and at home against Ouachita Baptist.
Scouting Oklahoma Baptist | (16-3, 5-0) | 1st in GAC | Oct. 11 | 6 p.m.
After losing two of three to start the season, Oklahoma Baptist has become one of the nation's hottest teams. OKBU has won 12-straight matches and sits atop the GAC standings as the only undefeated team remaining in conference play. The Bison have been the surprise of the 2019 season, as OKBU was picked to finish seventh in the GAC preseason coaches poll. OKBU has one of the most lethal attacking units in the country, and is led by Malia Leatherland, Hayley Daniel, and Taneyah Brown, who have combined for 556 kills. The Bison defense has been equally impressive, leading the league in opponent's hitting percentage (10.1%). OKBU is led by head coach Anna Howle, who has won more than 300 matches during her time in Shawnee.
Scouting Southern Nazarene | (13-6, 3-2) | T-4th in GAC | Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.
Through approximately half of the 2019 season, the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm are poised to surpass 20 wins for the first time since the 2016 season when they swept through the GAC Championships in Hot Springs, Arkansas and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Storm are led by senior outside hitter Bailee Turang, who is looking for her third-straight First Team All-GAC selection. While Turang leads SNU on the offensive side, the Crimson Storm also feature one of the most talented defensive specialists in the league in Logan Matthews, who is the reigning GAC Freshman of the Year. Matthews leads Southern Nazarene with 269 digs and is also Top-10 in the conference in service aces.
HSU Statistical Leaders:
Senior, Courtney Bolf – 225 Kills
Junior, Abby Blackburn – 395 Assists
Sophomore, MaKenzie Thoman – 342 Digs
Senior, Adrianna Hartmann – 68 Blocks
OKBU Statistical Leaders:
Junior, Malia Leatherland – 226 Kills
Freshman, Rylen Moore – 486 Assists
Junior, Diana Carranza – 346 Digs
Junior, Taneyah Brown – 38 Blocks
SNU Statistical Leaders:
Senior, Bailee Turang – 233 Kills
Senior, Kylie Smith – 758 Assists
Sophomore, Logan Matthews – 269 Digs
Sophomore, Bailey Grimes – 60 Blocks
Henderson State Milestone Watch
- Courtney Bolf needs one more ace to pass Annick Lagourgue for 10th on the all-time list.
- Adrianna Hartmann's three total blocks versus Lemoyne-Owen pushed her past Jessica Moss for sixth all-time in HSU history.
