ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball made quick work of visiting Howard Payne University Tuesday evening in Kimbrell Arena, sweeping the Yellow Jackets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-17 on Dig Pink night to support awareness for breast cancer.
The win evened McM's conference record at 7-7, meaning that the War Hawks can clinch a berth in the American Southwest Conference Tournament with a win over visiting Sul Ross State University Friday on Senior Night.
McMurry got an outstanding offensive performance by senior right side hitter Justice McGowan, who racked up 11 kills on a .381 attack percentage. Four others recorded five kills apiece, as the War Hawks hit .234 as a team.
The War Hawks scored the first three points of the night to get the early momentum. Howard Payne answered with a 4-0 run to take a brief lead, but a 4-0 run by the War Hawks featuring a kill and two aces by senior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell put McM back in front for good.
Later in the set, McM had a 6-0 run fueled by five kills, three by McGowan, to give McM set point.
HPU took the lead to start set two, later using a 5-0 spurt to take a 13-9 advantage. Trailing 16-11, McMurry scored 13 of the next 16 points, led by three kills from Burnell to once again reach set point. The Yellow Jackets scored the next point before handing the set to the War Hawks on a service error.
In set three, McM used a 7-1 rally to take a 9-4 lead. Sophomore right side hitter Tyler Richardson sparked the run with three kills, and collected all five of her kills in the third set. HPU would even the set at 12-12, but an 8-1 run by the War Hawks, aided by five HPU errors, put the set out of reach.
Freshman libero Adile Leal led the War Hawks with 14 digs, while Burnell and junior setter Brynn Warnack each added 10.
Warnack tallied a double-double by dishing out a game-high 20 assists. Junior setter Lauryn Davis provided 11 helpers, and just missed a double-double of her own with nine digs.
At the net, three players each had two assisted blocks, as each team totaled four blocks. McMurry had seven aces to four for HPU, with two each by Burnell and Davis.
First serve for Friday's Senior Night contest with the Lobos is scheduled for 7 p.m., with festivities honoring the seniors taking place before the game.
