ST. PETERSBURG, Flo. – The Reddies travelled to St. Petersburg, Florida to compete in the Triton/Lion Invite, hosted by Eckerd College and Saint Leo today. Henderson State came out swinging, defeating both Georgia State & College and host Saint Leo 3-1 to sweep the first day of the tournament.
The Reddie Offense was led by
Kelis Battles, who collected 30 kills on the first day of tournament play.
Lasheena Gooseberry was close behind with 29. The offense was facilitated by
Tyhia Mack, who recorded 51 assists on the day. On defense,
Kaylon Partain led with 58 digs, while Battles continues to work both sides of the net, collecting 38. At the net,
Cassidi Campbell recorded 11 total blocks, while
Karsen Hart supplied 8 total blocks.
3-1 Win vs. Georgia State & College
Georgia College controlled the opening set after Henderson State took an early 5-2 lead. The teams traded points through the middle of the set before the Bobcats gradually pulled away. Georgia College turned a 10-10 tie into a 14-11 advantage and extended its lead to 17-12. Henderson State trimmed the deficit to 22-17, but Georgia College closed the set on a 3-1 run to take the opening frame 25-21. Henderson State's offense produced 13 kills in the set, but Georgia College answered with 18.
Henderson State responded with a stronger start, building an early 5-2 advantage before Georgia College fought back to tie the set at 5. The teams remained within a point of each other through the middle portion, with Henderson State taking a 13-12 lead. The Reddies then began to create separation, moving ahead 18-15 before Georgia College rallied to make it 21-20. Henderson State answered with two straight points and reached set point at 24-21. Georgia College extended the set once more, but
Calee Carter finished it with a kill to even the match at one set apiece, 25-22.
Henderson State seized control early and never gave it back. After a 3-3 tie, the Reddies scored four straight points to take a 7-3 lead. Georgia College briefly closed the gap, but Henderson State rebuilt its advantage and led 12-10. The Reddies then went on a decisive 5-1 run, highlighted by consecutive kills from Gooseberry, to take a 17-12 lead. Henderson State continued to pressure the Bobcats late, extending the lead to 23-15 before Hart put the set away with a kill, giving the Reddies a 25-16 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
The final set was tightly contested early, with the teams tied at 4 and again at 5. Henderson State gradually gained control, moving ahead 11-8 after three consecutive points that included a service ace from Hart. Georgia College answered with a 3-0 run to pull even at 11, but Henderson State responded immediately. The Reddies scored four straight points to move ahead 15-11, then extended the advantage to 18-13. Georgia College made one final push, cutting the deficit to 18-16, but Henderson State answered with five of the next seven points to reach match point at 24-18.
Shiloh Jones finished the match with a kill, securing the 25-20 set victory and the 3-1 comeback win.
3-1 Win vs. Saint Leo
Henderson State and Saint Leo traded points early, with the Reddies holding a narrow 5-4 lead before gradually building an advantage. Henderson State moved ahead 9-6, but Saint Leo answered to pull within one at 10-9. The Reddies maintained their edge through the middle of the set, leading 13-12 before a strong stretch put them ahead 18-13. Saint Leo responded with three straight points to make it 18-16, but Henderson State regained control. The Reddies reached set point at 24-20, and Battles closed the opening frame with a kill for a 25-21 victory.
Saint Leo opened the second set with a 2-0 lead, but Henderson State quickly settled in. After the Reddies tied the set at 4, they erupted for six consecutive points to take a 9-4 advantage. Saint Leo briefly stopped the run, but Henderson State continued to apply pressure. The Reddies stretched the lead to 13-6 and later 18-11 behind strong work at the net and several Saint Leo errors. Henderson State closed the set with five of the final six points, including three consecutive points to move from 21-14 to set point. A Saint Leo attack error gave the Reddies a 25-14 win and a 2-0 match lead.
Saint Leo came out with its strongest push of the match, racing to a 3-0 lead before Henderson State rallied to tie the set at 3. The teams remained close through the early stages, trading points until Henderson State took a 10-8 lead. Saint Leo then began to turn the momentum. With the score tied 15-15, the Lions scored four straight points and opened a 19-15 advantage. Henderson State could not close the gap despite a late push that included two straight points to make it 20-17. Saint Leo answered with another stretch of points and took the set 25-20, cutting Henderson State's lead to 2-1.
The deciding set was a back-and-forth battle from the start. Saint Leo led 3-2 before Henderson State answered, and neither team could establish much separation. The set was tied at 10, then again at 13 and 14. Henderson State briefly moved ahead 17-16, but Saint Leo answered to regain an 18-17 lead. The Reddies responded with a crucial run, taking a 20-18 advantage before Saint Leo pulled within one at 21-20. Henderson State maintained its composure late, getting to match point at 24-21. Saint Leo fought off one match point, but Mack ended the match with a kill, giving Henderson State a 25-22 win and a 3-1 victory.
Up Next –
The Reddies continue the Triton/Lion Invite tomorrow, with the Reddies first facing hosts Eckerd College at 12:15 P.M, and then will round out the trip with a final match against Franklin Pierce at 4:45 P.M. Both of these matches will be in the Marion Bowman Activities Center in Dade City, Florida.
