STEPHENVILLE, Tx – The ULM volleyball team ran away with a thrilling 3-2 (26-24, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14) win over Houston Christian on Friday.
 
"I needed blood pressure medicine after this game," head coach Daniel Cabrera said.
 
Both teams started the first set even with the Warhawks (3-7) holding a 7-6 lead. They increased the lead to five with four straight points. The Huskies (2-7) snatched the lead away with a 7-1 scoring run.
 
ULM retook the lead and controlled it through the set with a 23-21 score late. HCU produced three straight kills to bring it to set point, but a kill by Ariana Brown tied the set. After two attack errors by the Huskies, the Warhawks took the first set 26-24.
 
"We ran a fast-tempo offense in the first set," Cabrera said. "The team produced kills at a high level."
 
The Warhawks continued the tempo early in set two, using runs of 5-1 and 6-2 to take a 14-12 lead. With the set tied at 15-15, ULM stayed at their mark for the rest of the way, as HCU scored ten in a row to firmly secure it.
 
Once again in set three, the two teams were even. With a 13-12 ULM lead, the Huskies went on a 7-2 scoring run to take control of the set. The Warhawks responded with a 7-2 run of their own to take back the lead. Four points in a row for HCU brought it to set point, and a final kill gave it a 2-1 match lead.
 
"Houston Christian adjusted its defense very well," Cabrera said. "We decided to make a few audibles and rotations, and our team was prepared for it."
 
The fourth set was another shootout, with the biggest run for both teams being 3-0. The Huskies held a 22-21 lead late in the set. ULM scored two points before HCU tied the set at 23-23. Ryley Boyne, with a kill and service ace, gave the Warhawks an all-important set win to force a win or go home fifth set.
 
A 4-3 lead for the Huskies turned into a 7-5 lead for the Warhawks after a 4-1 run. Another scoring run of 7-2 for ULM brought up match point with a 14-8 score. HCU wasn't done yet, producing six straight points to tie the set. A service error by the Huskies and a block by Boyne gave ULM the set win and its third match win of the season.
 
Ariana Brown had a 20-kill game with Taly Cloyd also producing 12. Morgan Howard had 35 assists while also tallying 12 digs. Cameron Rogers compiled 24 digs along with another service ace to bring her closer to the all-time ULM record.
 
The Warhawks return to the court tomorrow with a doubleheader. Game one features Alcorn State at 10 a.m. and game two brings on the hosts in Tarleton State at 6 p.m.