BROWNWOOD, Texas – McMurry University's volleyball team battled the distance at Howard Payne University, earning a grueling five-set victory at the Brownwood Coliseum. The War Hawks (10-6, 5-2 ASC) won by the match by scores of 29-27, 25-21, 18-25, 30-32, 17-15 over the Lady Jackets (4-8, 1-3 ASC).
 
Both teams gave a good showing, refusing to give in at seemingly every turn.  Three of the five sets went extra points before one of the teams won by the requisite two points, including a 32-30 doozy in set four won by HPU.
 
But the War Hawks looked like they may fly away with the match after winning the first two sets.  But the Lady Jackets took a convincing 25-18 win in set three, before the elongated set four.
 
In the deciding fifth set, Howard Payne held an 8-6 lead at the changeover. HPU extended its advantage to three, 10-7, and still led McM by two (12-10) after a service ace.  A serve error cut the McMurry deficit to one, before the War Hawks took the lead, 13-12, with Odalis Rodriguez serving.
 
With the War Hawks staring down a match point by HPU, down 15-14, A kill by Baylie Barnes knotted matters at 15-15. With Emarie James serving, a kill by Jordyn Burnell got the War Hawks up by one and another Barnes kill put the match in the War Hawks win column, 17-15.
 
Madison Reed topped a trio of War Hawks with double-digit kills, knocking down 15 and a .222 attack average. Senior Katy Headrick had 13 kills and an efficient night attack with a .444 average. Justice McGowan was the third double figure attacker with 12 kills, along with three solo blocks.
 
Setter Madison Fatheree had 32 of her teams 52 assists. James had 12 helps, as well.
 
Some deft serving also worked in McMurry's favor, booking 10 aces in the match. Fatheree, Headrick and Odalis Rodriguez had three aces, each.  Rodriguez was strong in the back row, as well, with a team-best 19 digs.
 
Fatheree added 18 digs and James 11.