CONWAY, Ark - Following a five-set heartbreaking defeat against the Ladies on Saturday evening, the Warriors began the last day of the Hendrix Warrior Classic with straight-set victories against Centenary (La.) and Central Baptist College. With the two wins, the Warriors improve to 7-1 on the young season; the best start in program history.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Game 1
Final: Centenary College 0, Hendrix 3
Records: Ladies 3-6 | Warriors 6-1
Location: Garrison Court | Conway, Ark.
Get Social: Twitter | @HendrixWarriors | @HCscoreboard 

Game 2
Final: Central Baptist College 0, Hendrix 3
Records: Mustangs 2-9 | Warriors 7-1
Location: Garrison Court | Conway, Ark.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Match 1

• Tied at 12-all in the opening set, Hendrix registered a 9-1 run, highlighted by a powerful kill by sophomore Maddie Tovar to take a commanding 21-13 lead.
• Six consecutive points would soon be scored by Hendrix in which sophomore MaKenzie Presley's defensive presence was felt. Presley helped the Warriors take a 9-2 advantage in set two.
• Knotted up at 12-all in the third, freshman Sadie Walker forced two attack errors by the Ladies as the Warriors quickly went on a 3-0 run and never looked back; winning the third set and the match, 25-14, 25-22, 25-19.

Match 2

• Trailing 5-2 in the opening set, Coach Brittany Newberry quickly called timeout.
• Two big assists from freshman Clarie Smith midway through the opening set helped Hendrix manage a 4-0 run and a 13-10 advantage.
• Leading 16-14, a 9-1 run to end the first set helped Hendrix cruise to a 25-15 opening set win over the Mustangs
• A block by freshman Sadie Walker and sophomore Allison Long and two kills from senior Lauren Dwyer helped Hendrix maintain a nice 15-5 lead in the second set.
• Following a nice kill from senior Amber Melcher, Melcher soon found junior Kiersten Huitt for the powerful kill and the set point.
• Leading by just 13-5 in the third, two set errors and two attack errors by the Mustangs highlighted an impressive 10-0 run for Hendrix; capped off by a powerful kill from Walker. Warriors defeat the Mustangs for the second time in two days after a straight-set, 25-15, 25-10, 25-10 win.
• Melcher recorded a game-high 17 assists.
• Dwyer finished with 10 kills.

WHAT WAS SAID
"We had great competition this weekend with Centenary and CBC," stated Coach Newberry. "We played back to back both days and I think that really stretched us mentally and was good for us going into conference next week. Closing out preseason 7-1 feels pretty good.  We got a good glimpse of where we need to continue to improve and what is working well. We are growing as a team and I am proud of what they have accomplished so far."  

UP NEXT
Following four home matches as part of the 2018 Hendrix Warrior Classic, Hendrix opens up Southern Athletic Association play with a home contest against Rhodes on Wednesday. The Warriors and Lynx square off at 7 p.m. inside Grove Gymnasium.