LAKEWOOD, Colo. – McMurry University's volleyball team had a tough Day 1 at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Regional, losing both of its pool play matches.  The War Hawks 18-12 – seed third in the tourney – lost to No. 2-seed Oklahoma Baptist University and to No. 1-seed Colorado Christian University, both by 3-0 scores.
 
Making its fifth-consecutive appearance in the NCCAA Central Region post-season, McM started the day with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-16 setback versus Oklahoma Baptist. The War Hawks hit just .122 in the match, compared to .260 by the Bison.
 
Senior Katy Headrick led McMurry's attack with seven kills. Headrick also had a pair of blocks. Teammates Jordyn Burnell and Justice McGowan each chipped in six kills, as well. Burnell also had six digs on defense.
 
Madison Fatheree gave off 14 assists. Fellow setter Emarie James added nine assists, as well as five digs.
 
Libero Odalis Rodriguez had a team-leading eight digs.
 
In its second match versus top-seed and host CCU, the War Hawks woes on offense continued. The team amassed just 24 kills and hit .032 for the three sets. 
 
McGowan's seven kills paced the team.  Headrick booked five kills, as well.  Each also had a block to their credit.
 
Fatheree had 18 of her team's 24 assists. Lauren Heathcote had two blocks and two kills, while Taylor Sterling had a pair of blocks, as well.
 
Rodriguez's 10 digs led the backrow efforts.  Burnell and Christian Brown posted six digs each.
 
Pool play concludes on Friday.  McM will face both Southwestern Christian College and Grace University.