HPU volleyball wins first four matches, off to best start since 2013

September 3, 2023 at 11:01 am Derrick Stuckly

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – The Howard Payne University volleyball team all four games at the Centenary tournament over the weekend, the best start for the HPU volleyball program since 2013. The Lady Jackets beat Rhodes College and Millsaps College in five sets and McMurry and Centenary in three sets in Shreveport, Louisiana. Freshman Rylee McAlexander was named to the All-Tournament Team as well.

Rhodes
The Lady Jackets took down Rhodes College in five sets. HPU lost the first two sets with scores of 26-24 and 25-20. The Lady Jackets rallied back to win three straight sets with scores of 28-26, 25-13, and 15-6.

Brylee Awbrey led the team in kills with 15 with Rylee McAlexander pitching in nine of her own. Riley Brittain recorded 27 assists and three aces with Jayden Harrison adding three more aces. Madison Spencer totaled 20 digs with Brooke O’Neal finishing with three blocks and Rylee Spencer with two.

Millsaps
HPU defeated Millsaps College 3-2. The Lady Jackets went down 2-1, but were able to mount a comeback winning the next two sets with scores of 25-23 and 15-11.

Rylee McAlexander led the team in kills with 11, followed by Brylee Awbrey’s nine kills and 17 digs. Riley Brittain recorded 16 assists to go along with two aces. Brooke O’Neal totaled four blocks.

McMurry
The Lady Jackets beat McMurry University three sets in a row with scores of 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.

Rylee Spencer recorded 10 kills and three blocks with Rylee McAlexander chipping in 10 kills as well. Riley Brittain led the team in digs and assists totaling 15 assists and 12 digs. Jaiden Albright recorded three aces.

Centenary
The Lady Jackets beat Centenary College three sets in a row with scores of 25-17, 25-23, 25-17.

Kassidy Johnson and Jayden Harrison led the team with 18 digs a piece. Brylee Awbrey recorded seven kills and one ace. Brandy Coward finished with six blocks while Riley Brittain had 26 assists.

The Lady Jackets are now 4-0, marking the best start since 2013 when HPU started the season off 5-0. HPU will look to continue this hot start next week, as they will travel to Dallas Christian College Thursday, September 7th.