STERLING, Kan. — The Hesston College volleyball team opened the 2026 season on the road Saturday, falling to Sterling College in straight sets, 25-10, 25-14, 25-19.
Sterling controlled the opening set, holding Hesston to four kills while forcing 10 attack errors on 38 attempts. The Warriors took advantage to pull away for a 25-10 win and an early 1-0 advantage.
The Larks found more success offensively in the second set. Hesston recorded 10 kills on 41 attempts and improved to a .024 hitting percentage, but Sterling committed just one attack error in the set and took a 25-14 win to move ahead 2-0.
Hesston continued to improve in the third and made its strongest push of the match. The set featured nine ties and six lead changes as the Larks stayed within striking distance. Hesston committed just five attack errors and posted its best hitting percentage of the match at .091, but Sterling finished strong to take the set 25-19 and complete the sweep.
Trinity Griffin led the Hesston attack with seven kills, while Kennedie Esparza and Layla Romero each finished with five. Esparza also recorded a service ace, six digs and two block assists. Lydia Foster added two kills, an ace and two block assists.
Delayna Kerry directed the offense with a team-high 16 assists while also recording 13 digs, one solo block and one block assist. Sarahi Paez added four assists and 13 digs, while Bethanie Haag finished with nine digs. Romero contributed seven digs and a service ace.
As a team, Hesston finished with 22 kills, 20 assists, three service aces, 50 digs and nine total blocks while Sterling recorded 29 kills and hit .214 for the match.
The Larks will return home Tuesday, Aug. 25 to face Spurgeon College at 7 p.m.
