HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College volleyball team battled Haskell Indian Nations University in a tightly contested four-set match, falling 28-26, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23. The loss moved the Larks to 8-7 on the season. 

The opening set went back and forth with nine ties and four lead changes. Hesston put down 16 kills, its highest total in a set on the day, but Haskell fought off the Larks in extra points to take the opener 28-26. 

Haskell carried the momentum into the second set, hitting .278 with 15 kills to pull away for a 25-17 victory. Hesston responded in the third, which featured 12 ties and two lead changes. The Larks held Haskell to a .078 hitting percentage and came away with a 25-22 win to extend the match. 

The fourth set was another close battle. Hesston stayed within striking distance throughout, but Haskell recorded its best offensive set of the match with 18 kills and a .267 hitting percentage to edge the Larks 25-23 and close out the match. 

Lydia Foster led Hesston with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Jacee Ray added 10 kills on a .296 hitting percentage along with three block assists. Kennedie Esparza finished with nine kills, 18 digs and two service aces. Layla Romero was the Larks' most efficient attacker, putting down seven kills without an error on 15 attempts for a .467 hitting percentage. 

Rebekah Blackmer contributed eight kills, a team-high 31 assists and 13 digs. Sarahi Paez led the defense with 25 digs, while Delayna Kerry added nine digs, seven assists, four kills and three solo blocks. Hesston finished with 50 kills, 90 digs and six service aces. 

The Larks will return to action Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Missouri Valley Triangular in Marshall, Mo. Hesston will face Avila University at 5 p.m. before taking on host Missouri Valley College at 7 p.m.