BELTON, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball was primed to force a decisive fifth set, but host and 23rd-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor scored the final nine points of the set to top the War Hawks, 16-25, 17-25, 25-22, 22-25, Friday afternoon in the American Southwest Conference Tournament.
McMurry had built up a 22-16 lead in the fourth set before the Crusaders (24-4) went on their match-winning run. Trailing 4-1, McMurry fought back to tie the match at 12 before going on a 6-0 run to break the set open with two service aces by senior libero Odalis Rodriguez couples with a pair of UMHB attack errors.
Trailing 2-0 to start the match, the War Hawks (24-6) rallied in the third set to get back in the match. UMHB raced out to a 5-0 lead and a potential sweep before senior outside hitter Jasmine Jones got the War Hawks on the board with a kill.
The War Hawks would slowly chip away until breaking off a 6-0 run for a 19-16 lead. But UMHB tied the set once more at 22 before the War Hawks put the Cru away with a kill by junior middle blocker Justice McGowan and a pair of Cru attack errors.
McGowan had a team-high 11 kills on a .421 attack percentage. Sophomore right side hitter led the War Hawks with a .529 attack percentage while racking up nine kills.
Both teams found success at the net, with the War Hawks tallying 12 blocks and the Cru 10. McGowan had seven assisted blocks while Howard and freshman middle blocker Elicia Jackson each chipped in four assisted blocks.
Setters Emarie James and Lauryn Davis each recorded 20 assists, while Davis notched a double-double with 14 digs. Rodriguez eclipsed the 2,000 career dig mark with a team-high 17 digs. Junior Jordyn Burnell added 15 digs.
It's a quick turnaround for the War Hawks, as they will play Concordia Texas in an elimination match at 5 p.m. tonight. Concordia was swept by UT Dallas in the first match of the day.
