AUSTIN, Texas – St, Edward's University Volleyball continued Heartland Conference play on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to Arkansas Fort Smith. The Hilltoppers move to 7-17 overall and 5-8 in league play while the Lady Lions improve to 19-3 and 13-0 atop the conference.
 
Katie Hendrix, MIKAYLA GRILL and HANNAH RAUCH provided a three-pronged attack for the home team with six kills from Hendrix leading the team and four kills each from Grill and Rauch. A 17-dig outing from Beckham highlighted the Toppers defense while seven assists from JULIA HARTLEY and eight from AVALON FRANTZ capped off the list of top performers.
 
In games one and two the tale of the tape was a offensive efficiency from Fort Smith. Despite nine digs in the opening set from Beckham, the visitors hit their way past the Hilltoppers, winning 25-14 and then 25-12 in game two.
 
After the intermission St. Edward's came out of the locker room with some fight, producing its best hitting performance of the day, combined with an impressive presence at the night. However, it would be too little too late as the Lady Lions would clinch with a 25-18 win.
 
Head coach Mary DeJute and her team hit the road for their next action, traveling west to Lubbock, Texas on Thursday to face Lubbock Christian and Odessa, Texas on Saturday to take on UT-Permian Basin. Fans can find more information on St. Edward's Volleyball and other teams online at www.GoHilltoppers.com.