Seniors Shine as Foresters Beat No. 20 Taylor in Three Sets
Huntington, Ind. – The Huntington volleyball team celebrated Senior Day in perfect fashion Saturday afternoon, sweeping visiting and 20th-ranked Taylor University (25-16, 25-20, 25-19) inside Platt Arena. The victory marked a strong bounce back for the Foresters, who improve to 21-5 overall and 9-5 in Crossroads League play. The win also marks the second career top 20 win for Huntington under the leadership of head coach Kelsey Herber.
HU was sharp from start to finish, hitting .261 as a team while holding the Trojans to just .104 on the attack. The Foresters balanced offense kept Taylor off balance all afternoon, with five players finishing with at least seven kills.
"I am so proud of this team for how they competed from the first whistle to the last whistle today," said coach Herber. "Our balanced attack and disciplined blocking was key to our success today."
Outside hitter Haley Kruse paced the offense with nine kills and two aces, while senior opposite Maisyn Robrock added eight kills on a .300 hitting clip. Senior middle blocker Leah Carter was dominant at the net with seven kills and a team-best four blocks. Trevyn Terry and Maggie Hollon each added eight and seven kills, respectively, to round out a complete team effort.
Sophomore setter Kennedy Urban and junior Lauren Ross guided the offense with a combined 39 assists, while senior libero Layla Meyer anchored the defense with a match-high 19 digs. Senior defensive specialist Olivia Krahn added nine digs to round out a strong and gritty back-row performance.
Saturday also served as a special celebration of Huntington's senior class—Haley Kruse, Olivia Krahn, Layla Meyer, Maisyn Robrock, and Leah Carter—along with senior team manager Cassie Shively, who was recognized for her hard work and dedication behind the scenes. Together, this senior group has been instrumental in shaping the culture of Forester Volleyball through their leadership, commitment, and steady example on and off the court. The veteran group combined for 33 digs, 24 kills, and five blocks in a special Senior Day performance, powering the Foresters to another dominant win on their home court.
"I am beyond grateful for each of these seniors," added Herber. "They've made such an impact on this program as both players and people. To know their hearts is an honor, and each one has made a lasting impression on my heart. This win was a great way to thank them for who they've been to our team."
With five Crossroads League matches remaining, Huntington has put itself in a strong position to control its own destiny in the fight to finish in the top three. The Foresters know, however, that there are no easy matches in the Crossroads League, where anything can happen down the stretch. HU now turns its attention to another pivotal matchup on Wednesday night at Marian, as the push toward postseason play continues.
The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 181 NAIA All-America honors and 631 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.