ABILENE, Texas – Paced by 15 kills from Baylie Barnes and nine from Justice McGowan, the McMurry University volleyball team won its third-consecutive match – and its American Southwest Conference opener – by defeating Concordia University-Texas, 3-1, at Kimbrell Arena.  The War Hawks (3-2, 1-0 ASC) won by scores of 25-19, 27-29, 27-25, 25-19 in its home-opening contest.
 
Barnes was 15-of-34 on attacks, with four errors, for a creditable .324 attack average. Barnes also served up five aces.  McGowan was 9-of-14 on attacks and did not commit an error, for a .643 attack average, to go along with five blocks.
 
Jordyn Burnell and Katy Headrick booked eight kills, apiece. Headrick also had five blocks, as well as six digs. Burnell chipped in two blocks.
 
Madison Fatheree and Emarie James combined for 34 assists. Fatheree gave off 21 helps and James 13. Christian Brown had a team-leading 15 digs, with teammates James and Odalis Rodriguez close behind with 14 digs.
 
In set one, the War hawks got off to a slow start, hitting just .143. Conversely, the Tornados had a .229 attack average as a team in the opener, but could not overcome the serving and blocking of McM. But CUTX upped the ante in set two, hitting .243 in taking an elongated 29-27 decision in the set.
 
Set three was also a nip-and-tuck battle, but McMurry utilized the serving of Barnes to grab the win. In set four, the War Hawks put some early distance between them and the Tornados and breezed to the 25-19 win.
 
The War Hawks will play four matches at the Austin College Invitational this weekend in Sherman, Texas.