HASTINGS, Neb. – The 21st-ranked Embry-Riddle volleyball team earned a split on the first day of the Five Points Bank Invitational, falling to No. 3 Wayland Baptist in three sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-12) and knocking off Hastings, 3-2 (27-25, 20-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-5). With the results, ERAU now stands at 2-3 on the young season, while WBU moves to 3-2 and Hastings falls to 7-3.
 
Jennifer Beatty led the Blue and Gold against Wayland Baptist, notching 18 kills, while Ana Pajic added eight kills and Evelina Abdurakhmanova chipped in seven kills. Tamires Ferreiera tallied 36 assists and Hannah Gray recorded 12 digs.
 
Shahala Hawkins led the Pioneers with 17 kills while Amanda Deitz registered eight kills and six blocks (two solo). Ashlyn Westerman totaled 38 assists and eight digs to lead the team.
 
After falling behind early, 6-2, ERAU rallied to take its first lead at 9-8 on a kill from Ferreira. The two sides battled back and forth, with neither squad able to pull ahead by more than two points. A kill from Beatty made it 23-22 Embry-Riddle, but WBU closed the frame with three straight points to win the set, 25-23.
 
The Eagles started strong in set two, running out to a 10-4 lead. The Pioneers clawed back, but Embry-Riddle maintained its lead, holding a 17-14 advantage after an Erika Hinel kill. Wayland Baptist rallied for five straight points to take a 19-17 lead, only to see the Eagles bounce back with a 4-0 run to retake the lead, 21-19. A pair of ERAU errors tied the set at 21, and the Pioneers kept the momentum, scoring four more points to take the set, 25-21.
 
Embry-Riddle held a slim 7-6 lead in the third set before WBU ripped off a 13-1 run, taking a commanding 19-8 lead. ERAU couldn't muster a comeback, falling in the final set, 25-12.