Knights Suffer Division Loss to Huston-Tillotson

by Madison Mitchell, Intern

SUNO (0) at Huston- Tillotson (3)

Set 1: SUNO 15, HTU 25

The Knights opened the first set strong, showing poise behind Samaria Berry and Kendrece Dozier, who each delivered early kills to give SUNO a narrow lead at 7–5. Cai Hales contributed a key service ace and a block with Ja'Myra Tyler, sparking energy for the Knights and putting pressure on the Rams.

Huston-Tillotson quickly adjusted, with Lindsey Morris, Chloe Gaytan, and Hayley Broussard combining for kills to retake momentum. A service ace from Malaya Bennett pushed HT ahead 13–9, forcing SUNO to call timeout.

Though SUNO fought back—highlighted by a kill from Armoni Harris and a late push with Berry and Dozier—the Rams' front line, anchored by Jordis Taylor and Adeja Peterson, closed the door. HT ended the set on a dominant run, winning 25–15 and grabbing the early 1–0 match lead.

SUNO 20, HTU 25

SUNO came out swinging to open the second set, taking an early 7–5 lead behind the steady hands of Taszia Adkinson and Samaria Berry. Uriah Larry and Cai Hales added kills to energize the Knights, while Kendrece Dozier protected the net with solid swings.

But Huston-Tillotson quickly answered. Aniyah Asberry sparked a Rams rally with back-to-back service aces and a kill, flipping the score in HT's favor. Taylor Fisher followed with an ace of her own, and Jordis Taylor began to dominate at the net, scoring kills and setting up her teammates.

SUNO tried to battle back after a timely ace from Adkinson and late kills from Berry and Dozier, pulling within four at 20–24. The Knights showed grit by saving three set points, capped by a kill from Adkinson to make it 24–20.

However, HT held strong, as Hayley Broussard closed the frame with a kill to secure the 25–20 win. The Rams extended their match lead to 2–0.

Set 3: SUNO 16, HTU 25

SUNO opened the third set with energy, grabbing the first point on a Taszia Adkinson–assisted kill and later pulling within one at 10–11 after a service ace from libero Armoni Harris. Cai Hales and Uriah Larry provided a spark at the net, while Samaria Berry chipped in with timely kills to keep the Knights in striking distance.

But once again, Huston-Tillotson's depth proved too much. Aniyah Asberry delivered a key service ace midway through the set to shift momentum, and from there the Rams went on a run. Chloe Gaytan, Lindsey Morris, and Jordis Taylor combined for a string of kills, stretching the lead to 18–14.

After a timeout, SUNO tried to rally behind Berry and Adkinson, but HT's balanced attack closed the door. Imany Gilmore caught fire late, tallying multiple kills and a service ace in the closing stretch, before Hayley Broussard sealed the set with a kill for a 25–16 finish.

With the win, Huston-Tillotson completed the sweep, taking the match 3–0 (25–15, 25–20, 25–16).