Hawks Drop First Game of Maryville Classic to Methodist

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Hawks Volleyball fell to the Monarchs of Methodist in their season opener at Maryville College in a four-set match, 3-1.

In the first set, the Hawks continually fought from behind but never let the Monarchs hold more than three points over them. Huntingdon tied the set at 16 with a kill from Eva Ellenburg, assisted by Hannah Rogers. The team went down by one again before tying the game and taking the lead off back-to-back errors from Methodist.

The battle continued to flow as neither team would let the other pull away. The Monarchs matched the Hawks at 24 and Head Coach Latonia Brady called a timeout to rally the team.

Back on the court the Hawks looked for the final two points to end the set, and they did just that with a kill by Izzy Valldeperas and a service ace from Jessi Hilyer (26-24).

Up 1-0 in the game, the start of the second set looked well for the Hawks as they went up 3-1. After an attack error from Huntingdon, the Monarchs tied the set at four and took the lead after five consecutive kills. The Hawks continued to battle through the set but Methodist landed nine straight kills to take the second set, 25-15.

The momentum for the Monarchs carried into the third set and they took the lead for the game at 2-1.

In the final set the Hawks continued to fight from behind and got down as much as six points until Valldeperas sparked some energy with a kill and then later tying the set at 22 and taking the lead off an assist from Hilyer.

The momentum would not be enough to finish the set and the Monarchs closed the game 3-1 with a 26-24 fourth set score.

Hawks Top Performers:

#21 Izzy Valldeperas – 12 Kills, 17 Digs, 14.5 Points, 2 Service Aces

#22 Eva Ellenburg – 8 Kills, 13 digs, 8.5 Points

#13 Molly Wilson – 17 Assists, 6 Digs

#3 Jessi Hilyer – 13 Assists, 15 Digs, 2 Service Aces

UP NEXT:

The Hawks continue to play in the Maryville Classis tomorrow at 10:00 AM CT against Hanover.