ABILENE, Texas – After waiting all day, McMurry University Volleyball finally got to play at the American Southwest Conference Crossover in Kimbrell Arena Friday. The War Hawks made easy work of Louisiana College, sweeping the Wildcats, 25-20, 25-18, 25-19.
The War Hawks defense posted one of its best efforts of the season, allowing the Wildcats to hit just .038, the second lowest of the season. Three players tallied double-figure digs, led by 18 from freshman libero Adile Leal.
Junior setter Brynn Warnack added 11 digs, and recorded a double-double by dishing out 20 assists. Senior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell was the third War Hawk with double-digit digs with 14. Burnell also led McM with nine kills.
The block produced six total blocks. Junior middle blocker Megan Martinez had three assisted blocks and two solo blocks.
Louisiana College hung tough in set one, trailing by one at the halfway point. But the War Hawks would go on to score seven of eight points to take a 20-13 advantage. Burnell had three of her kills during the stretch. The Wildcats got back within three, but committed a pair of errors down the stretch as McM took the set.
The Wildcats used a 5-0 run in set two to take an early 8-5 lead, until the War Hawk attack took over. Martinez recorded four kills, including three in a row at one point, and senior outside hitter Jada Cortez added four of her own as McMurry grabbed a 21-16 lead. After two LC points, the War Hawks scored the final four points, the final two coming on aces by Cortez.
LC once again got out to an early lead in the third, but the lead was erased by an 8-1 McM run. Cortez added three more kills during the run, and finished with eight kills and a .500 attack percentage. The Wildcats made one other 4-0 run, but McM answered with one of their own, putting the match out of reach.
Senior right side hitter Justice McGowan added seven kills as McMurry hit .230 for the match.
The War Hawks continue the ASC Crossover Saturday with a pair of matches. They take on Belhaven University at noon before facing East Texas Baptist University at 4 p.m.
