UNT Volleyball Shocks SFA For First Time Since 1995
DENTON, Texas (9/22/09) – Brittani Youman and Amy Huddleston powered the North Texas volleyball team to a thrilling five-set victory (18-25, 29-27, 25-19, 21-25, 15-11) over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, the program’s first win over the Ladyjacks since 1995.
Youman landed 13 kills and Huddleston countered with 12 as the Mean Green (4-10) snapped SFA’s (11-6) eight match win streak over the Mean Green. NT has now won four of its last six outings heading into Sun Belt Conference play this Saturday at Denver.
“A win like this is how we get to measure the progress of our program,” said North Texas head coach Cassie Headrick. “We are excited to get this win over such a tough team, which will give us a ton of confidence heading into this weekend.”
After going down in the first set, North Texas reset its focus during the second and third frames. Set three saw the Mean Green hit .296 and force 10 SFA attack errors. NT jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fifth and deciding set and never looked back. A ferocious kill from sophomore Kati Dillard all but sealed the match at 14-10, and brought the Mean Green Volleyball Center to a frenzy.
The Mean Green forced 38 attack errors in halting the Ladyjacks win streak at six matches, which included wins at both of their last two tournaments. Huddleston and Dillard blocked five shots each, while freshman Brittany Brown sent back six.
Serving was a key for the Mean Green, which landed 10 aces on the Ladyjacks. Setter Kayla Saey was the catalyst with five aces to go with 42 assists and 10 digs – her third double-double of the year.
North Texas returns to action this Saturday at Denver to open Sun Belt play. Action from Hamilton Gymnasium tips off at 8 p.m.
