AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's volleyball sophomore MORGAN BECKHAM broke the program record for digs in a heartbreaking five-set loss on Thursday night with 48 against Heartland Conference leader Arkansas Fort Smith.
 
The Hilltoppers (9-14, 7-3 HC) came within one point of snapping the Lions' (18-5, 10-0 HC) 14-match win streak before falling in five sets (25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 25-14, 16-14).  Despite the loss, St. Edward's remains second in the conference standings.
 
Junior KATIE MARTIN joined Beckham with her own career night, recording a career-high 24 kills while hitting .408. Junior MADISON MCCLURG recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs. Senior AVALON FRANTZ did the same with 30 assists and 11 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• ALEXA MCANDREW notched a kill to put St. Edward's ahead 21-20 in set one before a 4-0 run pushed the Lions a 25-23 win.
• TABITHA ELDER knocked down a set from AVALON FRANTZ to break a 24-24 tie in set two, and JULIA HARTLEY served the final point, evening the match at one set apiece.
• In set three MIKAYLA PARKER sparked a 5-0 run to give St. Edward's a 10-6 lead.
• McAndrew used three kills in four points to hold off the Lions, and Martin finished it off a Hartley assist to give the Hilltoppers the lead.
• Set four was all Lions as they jumped ahead early 8-2.
• A kill from Martin in the fifth made it 14-13, but UA Fort Smith scored three straight to clinch the victory.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• St. Edward's had not won a set against the Lions since Nov. 15, 2014.
• No other team in the conference has taken UA Fort Smith to five sets.
• Beckham also tied the four-set digs record last season against St. Mary's.
• Frantz now has three double-doubles on the season while McClurg has two.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH MARY DEJUTE
"It was a great match for both teams. My kids played extremely hard, and I am very proud of them. They stuck to the game plan, and our outside hitters came and did what I've been wanting them to do for a while. It was nice to see. I think our play calling was phenomenal tonight. My hat is off to AVALON FRANTZ and JULIA HARTLEY. They did a really nice job with running the offense."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday for senior day against Newman at 12 p.m. in the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live stats and video will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: UA Fort Smith 3, St. Edward's 2 (25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 25-14, 16-14)
Records: St. Edward's (9-14, 7-3 HC), UA Fort Smith (18-5, 10-0 HC)
Attendance: 175
 
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