ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball won the third set in an attempt to rally against rival Hardin-Simmons University, but came up short in four sets, falling 17-25, 21-25, 25-17, 21-25 to the Cowgirls in an American Southwest Conference tilt Tuesday evening at Kimbrell Arena.

The War Hawks fell behind two sets to none, but never trailed in the third set to get back in it. Midway through the set, McM used a 5-0 spurt to pull ahead, 13-7. A few points after the Cowgirls tied it at 16, the War Hawks closed out the set on a 7-0 run, thanks to two solo blocks and a kill by senior middle blocker Kianni Mitchell. Mitchell had three solo and four assisted blocks on the evening.

In set four, the Cowgirls used an early 8-1 run to take a lead and never look back. McMurry trailed by as many as nine in the period, and would get as close as 24-21. However, the War Hawks ran out of time as the Cowgirls sealed the win.

Set one was tied at 15, but the Cowgirls scored 10 of the final 12 points. Set two was tied at 18 apiece, but a 3-0 run by HSU to break the tie gave them the advantage to take a 2-0 lead.

Attacking percentages were similar, as the Cowgirls hit .192 to McM's .171. McMurry had 12 blocks to HSU's six.

Offensively, senior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell led the War Hawks with 14 kills, while Mitchell added eight kills on a .389 attacking percentage. Burnell had a team high 17 digs as well, notching a double-double. Senior right side hitter Justice McGowan totaled six kills.

Setting up the attack, junior setters Lauryn Davis and Brynn Warnack tallied 34 assists. Warnack had 18 of the helpers. Davis recorded 16 assists on her way to a double-double with 11 digs.

Joining Mitchell at the net, McGowan recorded six assisted blocks.

McMurry continues ASC action with its first game of the ASC Crossover at LeTourneau, playing the host YellowJackets Friday at 5 p.m.