HOUSTON – The McMurry volleyball team split two matches against NAIA schools Saturday as they first knocked off Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), 3-2, before losing to the host school University of St. Thomas, 3-1.

 

The split moves McMurry's record to 4-2 on the year. McMurry returns to action next weekend when they play four matches at the Southwestern Invitational in Georgetown, Texas. 

 

In match one against SAGU, McMurry quickly fell behind two matches to none as SAGU won the first two sets 25-17 and 25-11, respectively. But McMurry showed resiliency as they battled back to take the next three sets and subsequently the match. 

 

McMurry won sets three though five by the scores of 25-21, 26-24 and 15-11, respectively.

 

Three McMurry players finished with double-digit kills against SAGU. Junior middle blocker Terah Brown paced McMurry's effort with a team-high 13 kills, while senior outside hitter Erica English finished with 11 and sophomore middle blocker Mandie Moore finished with 10.

 

Other notable McMurry performers included junior setter Shannon Higgins, who led all McMurry players with 32 assists and sophomore libero Sarah Anding, who finished with a team-high 18 digs. 

 

In match two against St. Thomas, McMurry started off strong as they took the first set, 25-15. But it was St. Thomas who then showed resiliency against McMurry as St. Thomas won the next three sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-17) to take the match.

 

Brown again led all McMurry players in kills as she finished with 11 against St. Thomas. Brown also finished with 4.5 total blocks (two solo blocks and five block assists).     

 

Higgins again led McMurry with assists as she finished with 20, while Anding accumulated a team-high 17 digs.