ABILENE -- McMurry won its first match against Hardin-Simmons in over four years on Wednesday as junior middle blocker Terah Brown finished with a match-high 20 kills to lead McMurry to a 3-1 American Southwest Conference West Division victory. 

Brown was one of three McMurry players to finish with double-digit kills in the 26-28, 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 victory as junior outside hitter Danielle Kelton finished with 14 and sophomore middle blocker Mandie Moore added 10.  The win pushes McMurry to 16-6 on the year and 10-4 in ASC play, while HSU falls to 15-8 and 12-3.  It was also the first win for McMurry over HSU since Oct. 12, 2004, as the Cowgirls had an eight-match winning streak over McMurry.

Much like the back-and-forth (excluding the fourth set that HSU won rather handedly) four-set contest between the schools just two weeks ago at Hardin-Simmons that the Cowgirls won 3-1, this match was close from the outset.

In set one, both teams traded points at an even pace for most of the set as neither team could gain a significant lead on the other.  McMurry had two set-point opportunities as they led 24-22, but they couldn't seal the deal as the Cowgirls battled back and took the set in extended play.

McMurry was able to build a six-point lead midway through the second set as they led 14-8.  From there, HSU battled back to get within two points (20-18), but McMurry was able to finish off the Cowgirls this time as they evened the match at a set apiece.

Set three was another extremely tight set with HSU holding a slight 22-21 advantage as both teams vied for the pivotal set.  But McMurry went on a 4-1 run to close the set and thus take a 2-1 lead heading into the decisive fourth set.  

McMurry carried its momentum from winning set three over into set four as they finished the match on an 18-6 run to win going away.

Brown showcased one of the most dominating performances in the ASC this year.  Her 20-kill performance was on an astounding .581 attack percentage (she only had two attack errors and 31 attack attempts).  She also added three service aces and two block assists to boot. 

Kelton finished with a double-double as she added 14 digs to compliment her 14 kills.  McMurry junior setter Shannon Higgins distributed the ball effectively all match long as she tallied a match-high 29 assists, while fellow McMurry junior setter Kendall Jackson added 19 assists.  Another top performer for McMurry was sophomore libero Sarah Anding, who finished with a match-high 19 digs.

HSU was led by Kaela Parnell's 18-kill performance.  The Cowgirls' Cambra Hughes was the only other double-digit kill performer as she accumulated 12. 

For the match, McMurry had a collective .233 attack percentage (60 kills) while HSU only mustered a .184 (49 kills) collective effort. 

McMurry returns to action on Friday, Oct. 24, when they host Concordia Texas for another ASC West Division match at Kimbrell Arena.  The match is skated to start at 4 p.m.

Click here for the McM-HSU box score.