Hawks fall to Averett in USA South semifinals

DANVILLE, Va. – The Huntingdon volleyball team's season ended with a 3-1 loss to Averett in the USA South Tournament semifinals on Friday.

Making their first appearance in the USA South semifinals, the Hawks lost a 32-30 battle in the first game of the match before falling 25-17 in the second game. Huntingdon bounced back for a 25-23 win in the third game before Averett finished the match with a 25-19 win in Game 4.

USA South Player of the Year Amy Tyma, who entered the match ranked third in Division III in kills this season, totaled 23 kills and 17 digs in the match. The junior finished the season with 547 kills and 562 digs.

Tyma, senior April Reese (17), junior Addison Genard (8) and junior Shelby McAllister (7) combined for 55 of the Hawks' 61 kills. Sophomore Ashley Murphy recorded a career-high 40 assists and combined with freshman Morgan Ilsley (14) for 54 of Huntingdon's 58 assists. Senior Lexie DeVuyst (22), Tyma (17), Reese (15), Ilsley (13) and Murphy (10) combined for 77 of the team's 85 digs.

Averett (19-15) will play Maryville (26-6) for the conference championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Central). This is the 18^th time Averett has reached the USA South finals and the fifth time Maryville has reached the finals.

For Huntingdon, the loss marked the end of one of the most successful seasons for the program during the NCAA era. In addition to reaching the USA South Tournament for a fourth straight season and advancing to the semifinals for the first time, Huntingdon put together a 23-15 record. The 23 wins are the most for the Hawks since at least 2006. This is the second consecutive season Huntingdon has reached 20 wins and just the third time since 2005.

Records: Huntingdon (23-15); Averett (19-15)

Huntingdon Stat Leaders

vs. Averett University

Kills: Amy Tyma (23), April Reese (17), Addison Genard (8), Shelby McAllister (7)

Assists: Ashley Murphy (40), Morgan Ilsley (14)                            

Digs: Lexie DeVuyst (22), Amy Tyma (17), April Reese (15), Morgan Ilsley (13), Ashley Murphy (10)

Aces: Morgan Ilsley (4)