ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The UT Dallas volleyball team wrapped up the Reddie-Tiger Invitational with a five-set loss to host Henderson State. The Comets (2-6) won the first two sets, but the Reddies (4-4) rallied to win 17-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-11, on Saturday at the Duke Wells Center. 

Both teams exchanged points, keeping the score tight early on in the first set. HSU's Katilyn Steffes was a key offensive player, contributing multiple kills to keep the score close at 6-6. UTD responded with a strong performance from Melia Mendoza-Flores and Moriah Johnson, who each tallied crucial kills to maintain their team's lead. At 13-12, Averi Frazier's service ace helped UTD regain momentum. Sydney Sabin's serving then sparked a decisive 7-0 run, which included two aces and multiple attack errors by HSU, giving UTD a commanding 22-15 lead. Johnson's kill secured the final point, sealing a 25-17 victory for the Comets in the opening set.  

In the second set, the Reddies opened with a strong start, taking a 5-1 lead thanks to kills from Savannah Coats and Steffes. The Comets responded with a series of kills from Johnson and sophomore middle blocker Laura See, tying the score at 6-6. A key moment occurred as Abby Gentner served an ace, propelling UTD to an 8-6 advantage. Despite a brief comeback by HSU, which tied the game at 16-16, UTD regained control with a series of kills from Mendoza-Flores and Johnson, securing the set with a 25-20 victory.  

The squads engaged in a competitive third set, with HSU ultimately prevailing 25-19. The set began with a back-and-forth exchange, highlighted by Johnson's early kill from Sabin, leveling the score at 1-1. Henderson then capitalized on multiple attack errors from UTD, including two consecutive blocks by Cassidi Campbell, to build a lead at 8-4. Despite efforts by UTD to close the gap, including a three-point run with contributions from Mendoza-Flores and Lauren Petty, the Reddies regained control with a 7-0 run featuring Steffes' multiple kills and a Trystin Ross service ace, bringing the score to 20-12. Henderson sustained their momentum, overcoming a brief rally from UTD, and sealed the set with a service ace by Kaylon Partain and a final kill by Steffes.  

In the fourth set, UTD and HSU exchanged early points, with Johnson of UTD and Steffes of Henderson each making significant kills. Sabin's assists were pivotal for UTD, contributing to kills by both Johnson and See. Steffes continued to be effective for HSU, recording multiple kills, and a service ace by Kelis Battles brought them to set point, eventually securing a 25-21 win for the Reddies.  

The fifth set began with UTD swiftly taking a 1-0 lead on a kill by See, assisted by Sabin. Henderson responded, equalizing the score at 1-1 with a kill from Battles. The teams exchanged points until a critical moment when Berkeley Berry served an ace, putting Henderson ahead 4-3. UTD briefly regained the lead at 5-4 with an ace by Frazier, but Henderson capitalized on a series of attack errors by UTD, gaining a 7-5 advantage. After a tight back-and-forth, Henderson's Ross served a decisive ace to tie the score at 11-11, leading to a scoring streak that saw Reddies pull away with four consecutive points, ultimately clinching the set 15-11.  

The Comets hit .119 with 63 kills, seven aces, 10 blocks and 100 digs. The Reddies hit .126 on 47 kills, eight aces, 15 blocks and 84 digs.

UT Dallas Performances
Laura See - 17 kills, .419 hitting percentage, 2 blocks
Melia Mendoza-Flores - career-highs of 14 kills, .407 percentage and 4 blocks
Moriah Johnson - 18 kills
Jane Burkhardt - season-highs of 25 digs and 5 blocks
Mari Hernandez - 23 digs
Sydney Sabin - third double-double of the season with 32 assists and 14 digs
Abby Gentner - 20 assists, 13 digs

Henderson State Performances
Kaitlyn Steffes - 28 kills, .299 percentage, 3 blocks, 16 digs
Kelis Battles - 9 kills
Tyhia Mack - 26 assists, 11 digs
Kaylon Partain - 17 digs
Cassidi Campbell - 8 blocks

Up Next
UTD will play in the LSC Challenge in Austin, Texas, against St. Edward's on Thursday, September 18, at 6 p.m.