HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Three lost sets in a row resulted in a 3-2 (21-25, 16-25, 28-26, 25-13, 17-15) loss for ULM volleyball against Sam Houston at the Bearkat Classic Saturday evening.
 
Aniya Hall once again led the team with 22 kills while also having three blocks along with Kenzie Behl and Beril Celik. Morgan Howard collected 22 assists, and Briana Raney totaled 15 digs.
 
The loss breaks the four-match winning streak for the Warhawks (9-5) as they end the non-conference season.
 
ULM started strong in the first set with an 8-4 advantage over the Bearkats (8-5). With a 13-10 score, SHSU scored six of the next seven points to take over with a one-point lead. The Warhawks surged with an 8-1 scoring run, helped by five Bearkat errors. With the score at 24-21, Hall ended the set with a put-away and assumed control with a 1-0 match lead.
 
ULM again started hot in the second, with a 10-3 score. The Bearkats were held in check for most of the set, as the Warhawks possessed a commanding 17-9 lead. Sam Houston fought back with a 6-2 run, closing the deficit to four points before four unanswered points for ULM via the kill. Raney ended the second set on the serve with an ace to gift the Warhawks a 2-0 advantage.
 
In the third set, things started even with the home team having a 10-8 lead before a 7-1 run by the visitors gave them control. ULM kept the pace with separate leads of 18-12 and 20-16, looking to close out the match, but a 7-2 run by SHSU put it in front late.
 
The two teams went back and forth, resulting in extra points at 26-26. Sam Houston broke through with two put-downs to stay alive in the match.
 
Set four shaped up to be similar to the third, as the Bearkats hold a narrow 12-11 edge. It was all Sam Houston from there, as the Warhawks only managed two points for the rest of the set, forcing a decisive set five.
 
With a 4-4 tie to begin, the Bearkats used a 5-1 run to gain a huge advantage. Down 7-11, Ulm scored six of the next eight points to result in a 13-13 tie. With two more kills by Hall, allowing them to keep pace, the Warhawks found themselves tied at 15, but two straight kills by SHSU ended the match, completing the comeback down 2-0 for the home team.
 
ULM looks forward to Sun Belt play next weekend as it travels to Hattiesburg, Miss. To take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss.