GORHAM, Maine — Sophomore Peyton Hooker and senior Janna Preskorn combined for 24 kills as the Husson University volleyball team battled the University of Southern Maine before falling 25-22, 28-26 and 25-23 in non-conference action Saturday at Hill Gym.
Husson (1-9) opened the match with three consecutive points, including a kill from Hooker, before Southern Maine (4-7) answered with seven straight points. The Eagles remained within reach throughout the opening set before the Huskies built a 24-17 advantage.
Facing set point, Husson rallied with five consecutive points, highlighted by three service aces from junior Autumn Peterson and a kill from Hooker. The run brought the Eagles within 24-22 before a kill from Haylie Bidegain secured the set for Southern Maine.
The Eagles continued to battle in the second set, with Preskorn recording four kills over a five-point stretch to help Husson take an 11-9 lead. After Southern Maine moved ahead 19-16, the Eagles worked their way back, tying the set at 20-20 on an Emery Ballard service ace.
The teams traded points down the stretch, with Husson fighting off two set points. Hooker delivered a kill to tie the score at 25-25 before a Southern Maine attack error gave the Eagles a 26-25 advantage. The Huskies responded with three consecutive points to take the set 28-26.
Husson put together another strong stretch in the third set, turning a 6-4 deficit into a 9-6 lead with five straight points, including two kills apiece from Peterson and Hooker. The Eagles extended their advantage to 15-9 and later held a 21-17 lead following a service ace from freshman Kiara Griffin.
Southern Maine answered with five consecutive points to move ahead 22-21, but Hooker responded with back-to-back kills to put Husson back in front. The Huskies claimed the final three points to close out the match with a 25-23 victory.
Hooker led the Eagles with 13 kills while adding five digs, two service aces and a solo block. Preskorn finished with 11 kills and just one attack error on 34 attempts for a .294 hitting percentage, adding seven digs and four assists.
Freshman Eden Fraser directed the offense with 24 assists and contributed five digs and a service ace. Griffin led Husson with 11 digs and added three aces, while Peterson recorded five kills, eight digs, a team-high four aces and a solo block.
Husson will return home Tuesday to host New England College at 6 p.m. at Newman Gymnasium.
