ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State opened the Reddie-Tiger Challenge today with two losses, the first coming against Texas A&M-International 3-0, and then were defeated by West Alabama in five sets, 3-2.
The Reddie offense continues to be powered through sophomore
Kelis Battles, who led the team in kills with 26, while
Karsen Hart followed with 13.
Tyhia Mack continues to power the attack, collecting 39 assists on the day, while on the defensive side,
Kaylon Partain recorded a team-high 58 digs.
3-0 vs. Texas A&M-International
The Reddies erased an early 6-1 deficit in the opening set, using a 6-0 run to pull even at 6-6. Henderson State later built a 15-12 lead behind kills from Hart and
Lasheena Gooseberry and two aces from Hart, but Texas A&M International rallied to tie the set at 19-19. The Reddies fought off a set point to make it 24-24 before the Dustdevils scored the final two points.
Henderson State again fell behind early in the second set, trailing 3-0, but quickly battled back to tie the score at 4-4. The Reddies took a 14-13 lead and later led 15-14 before Texas A&M International regained control with a 3-0 run. Henderson State stayed within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 24-21 before the Dustdevils closed out the set.
The Reddies opened the third set with a 1-0 lead and later used a 5-0 run, including two aces from Battles, to move ahead 9-3. Texas A&M International rallied and eventually took a 15-14 lead, but Henderson State answered and led 19-16. The teams traded points throughout the closing stretch, with Henderson State tying the set at 24-24 and again at 25-25. Texas A&M International ultimately secured the match with the final two points.
3-2 vs. West Alabama
West Alabama controlled the opening set early, building a 6-2 lead before Henderson State rallied to tie the score at 6-6. The Reddies then moved in front 9-7 and held an 11-9 advantage, but West Alabama answered with a 6-0 run to take control. Henderson State trimmed the deficit late, but the Tigers closed out the set 25-19.
The Reddies responded in the second set. After trailing 2-0, Henderson State fought back to take an 11-8 lead behind a Hart ace and continued to build its advantage. West Alabama pulled within one at 17-16, but Henderson State scored the next three points and maintained control.
Calee Carter then delivered back-to-back kills to finish the set and even the match.
West Alabama regained momentum in the third set, taking an 11-8 lead before pulling away with a 6-0 run that made it 17-11. Henderson State battled back to within five, but the Tigers closed out the set 25-17.
The Reddies answered again in the fourth, turning a 6-4 deficit into an 8-6 lead and eventually building a 16-11 advantage. West Alabama rallied to tie the set at 23-23, but Henderson State earned set points at 25-24 and 26-25 before Partain and Battles combined for the final point to force a deciding fifth set.
West Alabama took control early in the fifth, opening a 7-1 lead. Henderson State rallied, using three straight points from Battles and a kill from Hart to pull within 13-10. The Tigers, however, scored the final two points to secure the match.
Up Next –
The Reddies continue the Reddie-Tiger Challenge tomorrow, Saturday September 5th, as they host LeMoyne-Owen at 11:00 A.M, before finishing the tournament against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5:30 P.M.
