HILLSBORO, Kan. — The Hesston College volleyball team fell to Tabor College in three sets Wednesday afternoon in Hillsboro. The Bluejays defeated the Larks 25-15, 25-12, 25-18, moving Hesston to 4-3 on the season.
The opening set was the most back-and-forth of the match, featuring six ties and three lead changes. Hesston recorded six kills in the set, but seven attack errors limited the Larks to a -.030 hitting percentage. Tabor eventually created separation, recording 10 kills on its way to the 25-15 opening-set victory.
Tabor carried the momentum into the second set and put together its best offensive performance of the match. The Bluejays recorded 14 kills with only four errors on 29 attempts for a .345 hitting percentage. Hesston committed just three attack errors in the set but managed six kills as Tabor pulled away for a 25-12 victory and a 2-0 advantage.
The Larks responded with their strongest offensive output in the third set, finishing with 10 kills on 33 attempts. Hesston stayed more competitive throughout the set, but Tabor countered with 15 kills and hit .263 to close out the match with a 25-18 win.
Jacee Ray led the Hesston attack with seven kills on 14 attempts and a .357 hitting percentage. Layla Romero added five kills, while Kennedie Esparza finished with four kills and Lydia Foster added three. Foster also contributed three block assists, with Esparza, Ray, Rachel Dyer, Trinity Griffin and Addison Graves each contributing at the net.
Dyer directed the offense with 15 assists and recorded Hesston’s lone service ace. Defensively, Bethanie Haag led the Larks with 12 digs, while Sarahi Paez added seven and Esparza finished with six. Hesston totaled 42 digs and eight block assists in the match.
The Larks will return to action Saturday, Sept. 12 when they host Bethany College at 1 p.m.
