SEGUIN, TX-- The University of St. Thomas volleyball team fell to Hendrix College in a five-set SCAC battle, 2-3 (25-20, 25-20, 12-25, 18-25, 8-15), on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium. The Celts are now 3-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
St. Thomas fell behind 5-0 to open the first set before beginning their comeback. Cataline and Haydari helped the Celts cut the deficit, and UST tied the frame at 9-9. The Celts then took control with a run that featured a Johnson kill, an attack error forced by Johnson's block, and a service ace from Martinez. Bodunrin and Johnson added kills as UST moved ahead 16-9. Hendrix trimmed the lead late, but Johnson recorded another kill before the Celts closed the set, 25-20.
Again, the Celts had to rally in the second set, trailing 9-4 before Lange helped UST begin its response. After Dixon added a kill and Stallworth tied the set at 10-10, Stallworth took over from the service line with three consecutive aces to give the Celts a 14-10 advantage. UST maintained its lead behind kills from Johnson, Willis, Bodunrin and Haydari, reaching a 22-19 advantage before Bodunrin and Cataline provided the final two kills in a 25-20 win.
Hendrix responded in the third set, taking an early lead before UST stayed within two points at 6-4. The Celts remained close at 8-7, but Hendrix extended its advantage to 12-9 and continued to pull away. Bodunrin and Stallworth provided kills as UST tried to answer, but Hendrix closed the set on a 13-3 run to take the frame, 25-12.
UST opened the fourth set with its strongest start of the match, racing ahead 6-0 behind a Bodunrin kill, a Cataline service ace and a block from Haydari and Willis. Hendrix worked back to tie the set at 8-8, but Marti and Bodunrin helped the Celts regain a 13-11 advantage. Hendrix then scored nine of the next 10 points to take an 20-14 lead. Haydari answered with a service ace, but Hendrix continued its late run and finished the set, 25-18.
The deciding fifth set remained close early, with UST taking a 3-2 lead after kills from Willis and Johnson. Hendrix answered with a four-point run to move ahead 6-3 and extended the margin to 8-5. Johnson and Haydari kept the Celts within reach, but Hendrix pulled away late and reached match point at 14-8 before closing the set, 15-8.
Bodunrin and Johnson led the Celts with 12 kills apiece, while Willis added seven kills. Stallworth recorded 20 assists and three aces, with Martinez contributing 13 assists and two aces. Haydari finished with three blocks, while Bodunrin and Johnson each added two. Lange led the defensive effort with 25 digs, followed by Stallworth with 13 and Cataline with 12. As a team, St. Thomas recorded 48 kills, nine aces, five blocks, 41 assists and 78 digs.
Up Next
The Celts return to action on Friday, October 9, at 5 PM against Texas Lutheran University in SCAC play in Houston, Texas.
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