BELTON, Tex. – The Alverno College volleyball team opened its 2026 season in Belton, Texas, taking on the host University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in the UMHB tournament. The host defeated the Inferno, winning all three sets by scores of 25-12, 25-12, and 25-10.
Sophomore
Brooklynne Hereford (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial) led the defensive effort for Alverno, recording 12 digs in the season-opening game. Returning all-conference sophomore
Mary Needham (San Tan Valley, Ariz./Poston Butte) led the team with 5 kills, while sophomore
Beyonca Hereford (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial) dished out seven assists.
As a team, Alverno finished with 28 digs, while UMHB had 38 kills and 14 aces to lead a strong offensive effort. They swung .298 as a team in 84 total attempts.
With the result, Alverno falls to 0-1 while UMHB moves to 2-1 as they recorded back-to-back wins over Texas Lutheran and Alverno on Friday. The Inferno will take on both Texas Lutheran and Millsaps tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Inferno battled early in the opening set, staying within one point at 4-3 following a Needham kill and Cru attack error. Alverno continued to trade points with the hosts before UMHB began to pull away midway through the set. The Crusaders used a strong offensive attack to build a 17-7 advantage before eventually taking the opening set, 25-12.
Alverno again showed early fight in the second set, taking a 6-4 lead following a pair of UMHB attack errors. The Crusaders responded with a 4-1 run to regain the lead, but the Inferno remained within striking distance at 8-8 after an UMHB attack error. UMHB then used a strong serving stretch to create separation, including three consecutive aces during a late run, before closing out the set, 25-12.
The Inferno opened the third set with a competitive start, trailing just 4-3 after another Needham kill. Alverno briefly took a 5-4 lead before UMHB responded with a 6-1 run to move ahead, 10-6. The Crusaders continued to build their advantage from there, eventually taking a 20-9 lead before closing the match with a 25-10 third-set victory.
Sarah Rivich led a balanced Crusaders offensive attack, tallying seven kills and just one attack error while Allie Thompson also had seven kills and just two errors in 12 swings for a .417 hitting percentage. Chloe Brandt orchestrated much of the offense with 18 assists, also tallying three service aces, while Addison Lundquist added 11 in the UMHB victory.
