September 1, 2012
San Antonio – Kelsey Huber battled injuries as a freshman a year ago. But these days, the St. Mary’s outside hitter is clearly all healed up.
Huber helped anchor the Rattlers’ attack at the net as the St. Mary’s/Hilltopper Volleyball Tournament Classic came to a close Saturday, where the Rattlers stormed to a 3-0 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State before falling to Colorado State-Pueblo, 3-1, in the nightcap at Bill Greehey Arena.
Huber, a San Antonio native, totaled 18 kills on the day as St. Mary’s jumped to a 2-2 start to begin the year.
“(I got back to 100 percent) by just really strengthening my leg muscles during the summer,” Huber said, “and working on balance.”
Huber and Jenna Paul (Fr., Alvin, Texas) had 11 kills apiece in the loss to Colorado State-Pueblo, while Melissa Heft (So., San Antonio) led the team in kills with 10 against SOSU. Allie Murray (Sr., San Antonio) posted 38 assists over the two matches, while sophomore libero Victorria Martinez (Arlington, Texas) had a team-high 30 digs.
Displaying the sort of communication they talked about wanting to exhibit, the Rattlers worked well together on the court in the victory over SOSU.
“Just a lot of communication,” Huber said. “The key point in winning is talking to each other and the energy.”
After cruising to a 25-19, 25-19, 25-16 victory over the Savage Storm, St. Mary’s seemed poised for another victory after taking a 25-14 victory in the opening set against Colorado State-Pueblo. But they battled back, topping the Rattlers 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 in the next three sets to take the victory.
St. Mary’s will be back in action Thursday, when it hosts Dallas Baptist in the Heartland Conference opener at 7 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.