AUSTIN, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball went back-and-forth with Concordia Texas Saturday afternoon, pulling out a 3-2 victory against the Tornados on the road in their regular season finale. The War Hawks defeated the Tornados 25-23, 25-15, 32-34, 20-25, 17-15.
McMurry raced out a two set advantage before Concordia rallied to force a decisive fifth set. Concordia jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the fifth set, but the War Hawks (23-5, 11-4 ASC) scored three straight points to tie the set. After trading points, the War Hawks had match point at 14-13.
Concordia nearly rallied to win the match by scoring the next two points, but junior middle blocker Justice McGowan rose to the occasion with a pair of blocks, one assisted by sophomore right side hitter Khristyn Howard, to get the War Hawks back out front. Junior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell then closed out the match with her team-leading 17th kill.
Burnell recorded a double-double in leading the War Hawks to the victory, adding 20 digs in addition to her 17 kills. McGowan tallied 14 kills, while senior outside hitter Jasmine Jones and senior right side hitter Madison Reed each totaled 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
McMurry nearly finished the match with a sweep, having numerous match points in a thrilling third set that went past the normal distance. The War Hawks led 24-23 before the teams traded points to reach a 32-32 tie. Concordia was able to take the next two points and then the next set to set the match up for the thrilling finish.
In the decisive set, the War Hawks hit a whopping .417 en route to hitting .232 for the match. The War Hawks also hit .357 in a dominating second set in which they held the Tornados to a -.030 attack percentage. Concordia hit .159 for the match.
The War Hawks racked up a dozen blocks at the net, with six assisted blocks and two solo blocks from junior middle blocker Kianni Mitchell. McGowan also added four assisted blocks. In the back row, senior libero Odalis Rodriguez led the War Hawks with 26 digs. Senior defensive specialist Christian Brown chipped in a dozen digs.
Junior setter Emarie James put up a double-double with 31 assists and 11 digs, while sophomore setter Lauryn Davis dished out 19 helpers. James also had three of McMurry's seven aces.
With the win, the War Hawks tied the Tornados for second place in the American Southwest Conference West Division, but the Tornados received the tiebreaker heading into the ASC Tournament.
The ASC Tournament takes place November 1-3 In Belton, Texas, on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, the ASC West Division champion. McMurry will face East Texas Baptist University, the East Division's number two seed, in an elimination game Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
