ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies started off the Bettye Wallace Classic with a comeback win against Missouri Southern State 3-2. They then dropped their second match against Quincy University 3-0.

Offensively, the Reddies were outstanding, with Katilyn Steffes recording 36 kills, while Kelis Battles followed with 20. Tyhia Mack provided 53 assists and Skylar Holler followed with 31. On the defensive side, Kaylon Partain continued her excellence, with 50 digs, while Katilyn Steffes had 25. Cassidi Campbell continues to show strong blocking up front, recording 8 blocks in game one alone, while Rylee Smith ended the day with 5.

"I saw a lot of good things; I like how we did offensively." Said Coach McDaniel on the day, "We got to clean up a few things, but I loved how we played overall, just got to do it again tomorrow."

Match Recaps

HSU vs MSSU
The first set started off with a back and forth, as both teams went on several runs to keep the score close. After a kill by Katilyn Steffes brought the score sat at 9-8, A 4-0 run by the Lions forced the Reddies to take a timeout. Both teams continued the back and forth, and a service ace by Lasheena Gooseberry    brought the score to 20-15. Unfortunately, the Reddies couldn't regain the lead and lost 25-19.

The second set was just as close, with two lead changes coming early in the set. A 4-0 run by the Reddies forced a Missouri Southern State timeout as they took the lead 9-8. A 6-0 run by the Lions gave them the lead and they did not relinquish it for the rest of the set, winning it 25-21.

In the third set, the Reddies were quick to take the lead off a 5-0 run to set the score to 7-4. The score stayed close until a Lion 5-0 run gave them a 13-11 lead. The Reddies kept it tied until a 3-0 run forced them to take a timeout, with the score of 18-16. Henderson rallied and took the lead late of a block by Rylee Smith, with the score 23-21. A kill by Katilyn Steffes made it set point, and though the Lions took a timeout, the Reddies secured the win 25-22.

The fourth set was a strong showing by the Reddies from the start, as they took a quick 7-2 lead. While the Lions tried to catch up, the Reddies were able to hold them off, with the score sitting at 18-10, forcing a Missouri Southern State timeout. The Lions were able to go on a 3-0 run to bring the score to 18-13, but the Reddies kept pushing, extending the lead to 21-14. Katilyn Steffes provided two kills to get to set point, 24-15. Two Lion points in response led to a Reddie timeout, but Steffes gave the final point to win the set 25-18.

In the final set, the Reddies took a quick 3-1 lead of a kill by Kelis Battles. While the Lions were able to climb back, a 4-0 run led by two blocks by Cassidi Campbell, assisted by Kelis Battles brought the score to 8-4. Another three points by the Reddies forced a Lions timeout. While they were able to bring the score to 11-7, the Reddies responded with a 4-0 run, as Emma Parsons recorded a service ace to win the match, 15-7.

HSU vs Quincy
The first set started off with the Hawks taking a 4-1 lead. They then took a 3-0 run to make the score 8-3, forcing a Henderson timeout. Quincy kept up the pressure, rapidly pulling ahead 13-7. While Henderson was able to climb back 20-19, the Hawks held the Reddies to only three more points and they won the set 25-22.

In the second set, it was the Reddies that held an early lead 10-3, but the Hawks came back to pull ahead 16-15, forcing a Henderson timeout. The Reddies couldn't stay in it and lost the second set 25-19.

In the final set, it was much more even, with four lead changes within the early possessions. Quincy pulled ahead however and held a 10-7 lead. A 4-0 run by the Reddies recaptured the lead 11-10, and another 3-0 forced a Quincy timeout. The Hawks were able to have a late surge, a 4-0 run giving them the lead 22-21, making Henderson take a timeout. The Hawks were able to stop a Reddie comeback, and won the set 25-23.

Up Next –
The Reddies continue the Bettye Wallace Classic at the Duke Wells Center, with their first match September 20th against Drury at 11:00 AM.