ALPINE, Texas — KELLI FORDING was dominant in her efficiency and the St. Edward's Hilltoppers picked up its 11th sweep of the season, defeating Sul Ross State 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 to open its two-game road trip to end the regular season.
Fording delivered a match-high 13 kills on a .458 hitting percentage, committing only two errors in 24 attacks as the Hilltoppers improved to 17-9 overall and 12-4 in Lone Star Conference play.
LANDRY BAUGHMAN added nine kills, including five without an error in the second set, and ARIANA VAZQUEZ supplied four kills on six swings without an error, putting away the final point in each of the last two sets.
St. Edward's finished with a 40-26 advantage in kills, hitting .245 while limiting Sul Ross State to .100. GISELLE OJEDA anchored the back row with 14 digs and contributed two of the Hilltoppers' six service aces. ALTHEA MORRIS distributed 17 assists, and MACY PHILLIPS added 15.
The Hilltoppers established control early in the opening set, never trailing while holding the Lobos to a negative hitting percentage. CARRINGTON JAIMES helped set the defensive tone with two solo blocks and a block assist, pairing with Baughman on a rejection for a 5-3 lead.
Later, consecutive Fording kills fueled a four-point run on Ojeda's serve, stretching a 9-6 advantage to 13-6. St. Edward's maintained its cushion from there, getting four kills from Fording and three from Jaimes to take the opener.
Sul Ross State pushed back in the second set, using its block to build an 11-6 lead before St. Edward's answered with six consecutive points. GRACE MCDONALD and Fording supplied kills, and BEA ANGELES added an ace during a five-point service run that moved the Hilltoppers ahead 12-11.
After the Lobos tied the set, St. Edward's took nine of the next 12 points to establish a 21-15 advantage. Fording and Baughman each finished with five kills in the set, helping the Hilltoppers withstand a late Sul Ross State rally before Vazquez closed it with a kill off Phillips' assist.
The third set featured 10 ties and six lead changes before St. Edward's pulled away. Trailing 15-14, the Hilltoppers scored three consecutive points, including a combined block from Fording and McDonald, to reclaim the lead.
Fording supplied three kills and an ace down the stretch as St. Edward's closed on an 11-4 run. Baughman brought the Hilltoppers to match point, and Vazquez finished the sweep with her third kill of the set.
St. Edward's has now won 21 of its past 22 sets, including six in a row, heading into the final match of the regular season at Western New Mexico.
