WBU Volleyball Competes in Highlander Classic

BATESVILLE, Ark. (9/7/24) – The Williams Baptist University volleyball team competed in the Highlander Classic hosted by Lyon College over the weekend. 

The Eagles lost to Bethel (25-21, 26-24, 25-10) on Friday night, then dropped a doubleheader to Mission (25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-16, 7-15) and Lyon (25-10, 27-25, 25-16).

Meadow Jones led the team with four kills in the first match against Bethel.  Jaycie Cook paced the squad with nine assists and Sophie Allred followed close behind with seven.  Riley Henson captured the team-lead with 10 digs.

The back-and-forth affair featured 15 ties and eight lead changes throughout the three sets.

The match was highlighted by a hard-fought second set that ended 26-24 in Bethel's favor.  WBU failed to find a rhythm in the third set, and fell in straight sets in the first round of the Highlander Classic.

WBU took on Mission for the second match of the tournament. The Eagles started off on the right foot, taking the first set 25-23.  After dropping the second and third sets, Williams responded with a 25-16 set win to send the match to its penultimate fifth set.

Mission took the final set 15-7 to take the match 3-2 in WBU's first five set match of the season.  Tinleigh Ruhman led the team with 15 kills, Jaycie Cook had 21 assists, and Riley Henson took the team-lead with 14 digs.

WBU fell to Lyon in the final match of the Highlander Classic in straight sets.  The Eagles led for a large part of the second set, but relinquished the lead late and fell 27-25.  The Scots finished off the third set 25-16 to win in straight sets.

Natalie Collier led the Eagles with five kills against Lyon.  Jaycie Cook had 11 assists, and Meadow Jones played well on the defensive side of the net with 4.5 blocks.

The Eagles will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 12 in Holly Springs, Miss. against Rust.  The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start time.