ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University reached 21 wins matching its highest win total since the 2004 season with a victory over Howard Payne University in straight sets, 25-12, 25-23, 25-10. The win moved the War Hawks to 21-2 overall and 12-2 in American Southwest Conference play Tuesday night in Kimbrell Arena.

McMurry hit .317 for the match led by M.J. Vickers' 15 kills; she hit .379 with only four errors on 29 attempts. Bailey Wilson led McMurry defensively with 14 digs and Kayla Hines and Kasi Conners each had three assisted blocks. The War Hawks defense held the Yellow Jackets to just a .088 hitting percentage and Kerry Ward had eight kills in the losing effort.

The War Hawks fell behind early in the first set 6-4 before rattling off eight straight points and went on to a 21-7 to close the set. McMurry came from behind in the second set again and at one point trailed 18-13. However, McMurry outscored the Yellow Jackets 12-5 in the final 17 points of the set.

The third set was all McMurry and the War Hawks closed the match with a 6-0 run.
The War Hawks are two wins away from tying the all-time win total at 23 with the 2002 and 1997 squads.

McMurry returns to action Friday night against Sul Ross State at 7 p.m. at Kimbrell Arena.