ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball heads to Sherman, Texas, this weekend for the Austin College Invitational, as they participate in their second invitational in as many weekends. The War Hawks will look to continue their hot start to the season.
In Sherman, the War Hawks will once again play four games, starting Friday evening at 4 p.m. against LeTourneau University. Following the match versus the Yellowjackets, the War Hawks take on Paul Quinn College at 6 p.m. Saturday, the War Hawks face Linfield College at 10 a.m. and wrap up the weekend against host Austin College at 4 p.m.
Follow @mcmsports on Twitter and visit mcmurrysports.com for updates, as live stats and video will not be available.
NOTES:
Last Week: McMurry started 2018 4-0 in the Virginia Wesleyan Invitational. The War Hawks defeated host Virginia Wesleyan College, 3-2, Penn State Berks, 3-0, Geneva College, 3-0, and Randolph-Macon College, 3-1.
Offensive Leaders: Offensively, senior outside hitter
Jasmine Jones paced the War Hawks with 43 kills (3.31 per set), junior middle blocker
Justice McGowan had 29 kills while hitting a team high .464, and junior setter
Emarie James had 79 assists.
Defensive Leaders: Defensively, senior libero
Odalis Rodriguez tallied 79 digs, just ahead of junior right side hitter
Jordyn Burnell's 76. Junior middle blocker
Kianni Mitchell and
Justice McGowan led the team in blocks with 15 and 13, respectively.
Burnell Honored: Junior right side hitter
Jordyn Burnell was honored as the American Southwest Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week. She racked up 76 digs, 25 kills, eight aces and four blocks. She had the game-winning kill against Virginia Wesleyan, and her 40 kills in that match is the third best mark in program history. Burnell has also been nominated for the HERO Sports HERO of the Week, where voting ends Friday.
Balanced attack: Six War Hawks recorded 22 or more kills last weekend:
Jasmine Jones,
Kianni Mitchell,
Justice McGowan,
Jordyn Burnell,
Elicia Jackson, and
Madison Reed.
Getting Defensive: The War Hawks held their opponents to a .079 attacking percentage in their four games last weekend.
About LeTourneau: The Yellowjackets are 0-3 on the year, dropping all three matches at the Texas-Dallas Labor Day Tournament. The War Hawks are 20-0 versus the Yellowjackets, including five straight sweeps.
About Paul Quinn: The War Hawks have swept both meetings against Paul Quinn College.
About Linfield: McMurry was swept in the only meeting with the Wildcats in 2015. The Wildcats went 4-0 in the Oregon Trail Classic last weekend, and are led by junior middle blocker Taylor Petersen and junior defensive specialist Taylor Souza.
About Austin: The Kangaroos are 3-1 after their season opening Austin College Classic and lead the series with the War Hawks 15-12. McMurry defeated the 'Roos in five sets last season, as Austin finished 25-13.
