Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's volleyball team did what no other Heartland Conference team has been able to do this year. The Hilltoppers rode a wave of momentum and knock off an undefeated UA Fort Smith team, 3-1. The Lions had been a perfect 14-0 in conference play, but St. Edward's was able to hand them their first defeat with a 25-19, 16-25, 25-18, 25-20 triumph.
 
With the score tied, 6-6 in the first set, St. Edward's (12-14, 10-5 HC) used a 7-2 run keyed by service aces from both JESSICA MORALES and LOREN KELLY. AMY JONES capped off the rally with a kill to make the score 13-8 in favor of the Hilltoppers. UA Fort Smith (19-7, 14-1 HC) would draw to within 19-17, but St. Edward's would end the set on a 6-2 run.
 
The Lions raced out to a 6-1 lead in set two and forced the Hilltoppers into a timeout. St. Edward's would cut the lead to 14-12, but UA Fort Smith proved to be too much offensively in the set to even the match. The Lions hit .229 and the Hilltoppers were held to a .000 hitting percentage.
 
With set three tied, 9-9, UA Fort Smith scored three-straight points to take a 12-9 lead. St. Edward's rallied with two kills by MARY KOEHLER to bring the set even, 16-16, with a 7-4 run. HANNAH RAUCH produced two kills and Koehler and ELISSA STANTON finished off the set with a kill each as they Hilltoppers romped to a 9-2 run to take control of the match. Defense was the key to the set victory as Jimenez tallied 10 of the 30 digs St. Edward's had.
 
St. Edward's and UA Fort Smith battled close to start the fourth set with the score, 8-7 in favor of the home team. Back-to-back kills by Koehler and TABITHA ELDER forced the Lions to take a timeout at 10-7. Out of the break, Rauch registered two kills and led St. Edward's on a 6-4 run and a 16-11 advantage. The Hilltoppers would keep the five-point advantage to finish off the conference leaders, 25-20. St. Edward's hit a match-high .310 in the final set as a team.
 
"It is always nice to defeat a team that has been on a roll," head coach Sean Donahue said. "Our ladies executed well tonight and showed they can play with anyone."
 
Rauch led the Hilltoppers with 13 kills. Eight of those came in the final two sets. Koehler added 11 kills and Stanton chipped in with 10. Koehler produced another double-double with 17 digs. Kelly dished out a team-high 22 assists and was outstanding serving with a career-high five aces. JACLYN BILLIE also contributed 18 assists, while Jimenez tallied a match-high 31 digs to go with her two aces.
 
St. Edward's will wrap up its home schedule as they face Heartland Conference rival Dallas Baptist Saturday afternoon at noon. The match will be Senior Day on the Hilltop. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.