ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies started off day 2 with a strong win against Mississippi College 3-1, and swept their day, winning their second match in 5 sets against UT-Dallas, 3-2.

Offensively, Katilyn Steffes led the Reddies in Kills today with 45, with Kelis Battles following with 19. Tyhia Mack provided 41 assists, while Jessie Jerome had 36. Defensively, Kaylon Partain continued to dominate, logging 43 digs, while freshman Berkeley Berry supplied 29. Cassidi Campbell dominated at the net, recording 16 total blocks on the day.

"I liked how we fought [match 1], I really liked how we came back in that fourth set" said Coach McDaniel "I thought we blocked really well for the most part, and we're getting better every day."

"Love what we did" said McDaniel about the second match, "loved the way we fought toward the end there, we have to clean up a few things, but I like what we did, and I'm happy we pulled out a win."

Match Recaps

HSU vs. MissCo
The Reddies started hot in the first set, taking a swift 3-1 lead off of two service errors and an ace from Kaylon Partain. The Choctaws tried to stay in it, but a 4-0 run by Henderson forced a timeout with the score 10-5. The Reddies kept the pressure up, as a 5-2 run forced the second timeout by MissCo. Another 4-1 run by the Reddies followed, with two kills by Kelis Battles and a service ace by Emma Parsons maintained Henderson's lead 22-12. The Reddies were then able to use a 3-0 run to win the set 25-14.

The second set was a closer affair with both teams trading points back and forth, but a 6-0 run in the middle of the set gave the Reddies a 15-9 lead. The Choctaws were able to respond, bringing the score to 17-16, before two kills by Katilyn Steffes held off their comeback. Skye Johns brought the score to 22-19 for the Reddies, forcing a timeout from MissCo. While a 4-0 run by the Choctaws forced a Henderson timeout, that was what was needed to slow their momentum, and kills by Cassidi Campbell and Savannah Coats sealed set two for the Reddies 25-23.

In the third set, the Choctaws took a 4-1 lead, but the Reddies were able to rally and tie it 4-4. The two teams exchanged several short runs, until a Choctaw 3-0 run was able to take the lead 15-16. While Henderson tried to tie it, MissCo wouldn't give up, forcing a Henderson timeout. That didn't slow MissCo down, and the Choctaws were able to take the third set 25-20.

The final set started well for the Reddies as they swiftly took a 3-1 lead. Henderson was able to hold the lead as key kills by Katilyn Steffes and Kelis Battles kept the Choctaws from catching up, as the Reddies held a 13-9 lead before MissCo took a timeout. A 3-0 run by the Reddies forced the second timeout from the Choctaws, with the score 18-12. While the Reddies were able to get to set point 24-17, the Choctaws fought back scoring three quick points to make it 24-20, before a final kill by Kelis Battles ended the set, giving the Reddies a 25-20 win.

HSU vs. UT Dallas
In the first set, it stayed tight, with 5 tied scores, before a 3-0 run by the Comets lead to a 11-10 lead. The Reddies attempted to come back, but the Comets held the lead, going on a 7-0 run that the Reddies couldn't surpass, and they lost the first set 25-17.

The second set started off better for the Reddies, as they took a quick 5-1 lead. The Comets fought back and went on a 6-0 run to take the lead 9-6, forcing a Henderson timeout. Another 4-0 run by the Comets pulled their lead to 13-8. They kept up the pressure and though the Reddies fought back, a 4-0 run ended the set, with UT-Dallas winning 25-20.

The Reddies, with the match on the line came out swinging, taking a 8-4 lead off of a 3-0 run. The Comets responded with a 4-0 run of their own to tie it up 8-8. Kelis Battles stopped the run in its tracks, and went on a 3-0 run to pull ahead 14-11. Two kills by Katilyn Steffes and an ace by Trystin Ross forced a UT-Dallas timeout, with the score 17-12. The Reddies continued to pull ahead, and though a late 4-0 push by the Comets that forced a timeout for Henderson, the Reddies were able to hold them off and win the third set 25-19.

In the fourth set, UT-Dallas was determined to win the match, but the Reddies stood firm, holding them point for point until they sat tied 5-5. A 4-0 run by UT-Dallas forced a Henderson timeout with the Comets holding an 11-8 lead. The Reddies weren't going to quit, and tied it up 15-15, but the Comets pulled ahead again. The Reddies rallied off of two key kills by Katelyn Steffes and Kelis Battles to pull ahead 22-19. The Reddies were able to force a late timeout by the Comets with set point 24-20. Katilyn Steffes was able to seal the set with a kill, with the Reddies winning 25-21.

In the fifth and final set, both teams wanted victory, and it remained close, with both teams barely holding leads well into the set. A kill by Meadow Jones pulled Henderson in the lead 8-6, and the Reddies held the lead, but a 4-0 run gave the Comets the lead 10-9, and Henderson took a timeout. That was what the Reddies needed, and a 6-0 run by Henderson, led by Katilyn Steffe's two kills sealed the set and match, 15-11.

Up Next –

The Reddies take on Arkansas Tech in the first GAC matchup of the season on Sept. 16 at 6:30 PM at the Duke Wells Center