ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University volleyball team registered the biggest upset of day one of the American Southwest Conference Crossover Tournament – co-hosted by McM and Hardin-Simmons – by knocking off ASC East Division co-leader UT-Tyler in its evening match, 3-1. Earlier in the day, the War Hawks also dispatched of East Texas Baptist University, 3-2.
 
Against ETBU, McM looked like it was going to have a short match, as the Tigers won the first two sets 25-23 and 25-21.  With its back against the wall, the War Hawks came back to take the next two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-23, to force the tie-breaking fifth set. McM controlled the final set, as well, winning 15-6.
 
Jasmine Jones had a huge game on the attack, knocking down a match-leading 18 kills and a .340 attack average. Jones added 11 digs and two blocks.
 
Justice McGowan and Jordyn Burnell chipped in 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Burnell took care of matters in the back row, as well, with a team-best 24 digs. She also had four blocks.
 
McGowan had five blocks, as the War Hawks amassed 11 blocks as a team. Burnell also served up three of McMurry's nine aces.
 
The War Hawks setter tandem of Lauryn Davis and Emarie James combined for 54 assists. Davis had 28 "helps" and James 26. 
 
McMurry handed UT-Tyler just its fifth loss of the season, taking down the Patriots by set scores of 14-25, 25-15, 25-12, 26-24.
 
Junior Madison Reed had a near-perfect outing, cranking out 12 kills in 18 attempts - with just one error – for a .611 attack average. Reed also matched teammate McGowan with five blocks.
 
McGowan and Burnell each had 10 kills, as well as hitting for average. McGowan had a .500 attack average and Burnell .409. 
 
Libero Odalis Rodriguez easily handled matters in the back row, with 21 digs (the only player for either team with double digit dig totals). Rodriguez also served up four of McM's seven aces as a team.
 
James finished with 24 assists and Davis 15. 
 
The tournament concludes on Saturday.  McMurry will not play until 5:30 p.m. when it faces Louisiana College in the final match of the day.