BELTON, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball went toe-to-toe with American Southwest Conference West Division leader University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, but fell to the Crusaders in four sets, 19-25, 28-26, 25-27, 16-25 on the road Saturday.
After dropping the first set, McMurry rallied back to even things up at a set apiece. The War Hawks led 14-7 before the Cru used a 5-0 run to take a 20-19 advantage. Trailing 22-21 McM retook the lead on kills by junior middle blocker by Megan Martinez and senior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell.
Another point by McMurry gave it set point, but UMHB scored four of the next five points. However, the War Hawks found a way to close the set, capped by a service ace by junior setter Lauryn Davis.
McM had a chance to go up 2-1 in the third set, using a 6-0 run to jump out to a 7-4 lead. Martinez provided a kill and two aces during the run. A kill by Burnell later in the set gave McM their largest lead, 18-9. A 6-1 run by the Cru got them back in the set, before McM had set point at 24-21.
However, UMHB scored the next three points to tie it at 24. Martinez added another kill, giving McM another set point, but the Cru closed with the final three points to steal the set.
The Cru used the momentum from the come from behind set win to cruise to a 25-16 win in set four.
Senior right side hitter Justice McGowan led the War Hawks with 13 kills with a .310 attack percentage. Both Burnell and Martinez each added 10 kills, with Martinez hitting .348. Sophomore right side hitter Tyler Richardson added seven kills, while freshmen Alexis Garcia and Sharanda Anderson each totaled six kills.
Defensively, Davis posted a team-high 19 digs on her way to a double-double, dishing out 25 assists, as well. Freshman Adile Leal racked up 16 digs.
Junior setter Brynn Warnack also posted a double-double, handing out 18 helpers along with 11 digs.
McM was outdone at the net again, with the Cru having an 11-4 advantage in blocks. Martinez tallied two solo and two assisted blocks.
Martinez, Davis and Anderson all recorded a pair of aces.
The War Hawks will wrap up the regular season at home next week, hosting Howard Payne University Tuesday night and Sul Ross State University Friday evening.
