LONGVIEW, Texas – McMurry University Volleyball rallied from down two sets to one to snap its three game losing streak Friday evening, defeating the host LeTourneau University in its first game of the ASC Crossover, 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 27-25, 15-9.
The War Hawks (10-5, 1-3 ASC) trailed 22-20 in the fourth set, in danger of dropping their fourth straight to begin conference play. McM battled to tie it at 23, but then faced match point. With the game on the line, sophomore right side hitter Tyler Richardson kept the game alive with a kill.
LeTourneau (7-7, 1-3 ASC) scored the next point for yet another match point, but a YellowJacket error sandwiched between kills by junior middle blocker Megan Martinez and senior middle blocker Kianni Mitchell tied the match at 2-2.
McMurry raced out to a 6-2 lead in the fifth set, aided by three LETU errors and to kills by senior right side hitter Justice McGowan. The YellowJackets got back within one, but the War Hawks scored five of the final six points to complete the comeback on five LETU errors, two of them blocks involving senior outside hitter Jordyn Burnell.
The teams split the first two sets before LeTourneau won set three, setting up the McM rally.
Freshman libero Adile Leal led the defensive effort for McMurry, collecting a team-high 25 digs. Burnell added 10 digs, while five others recorded six or more digs.
At the net, both Martinez and Mitchell posted a pair of solo blocks. Martinez had five assisted blocks, Burnell four and Mitchell and Richardson each had three. McMurry had 14 total blocks compared to just four for the YellowJackets.
Offensively, McGowan led the War Hawks with 16 kills on a .371 attacking percentage. Burnell posted a double-double with 11 kills, and Martinez and Richardson both slammed eight kills. Martinez had a team-high .467 attack percentage and had three of the team's seven aces. McMurry hit above .300 as a team in its second and fourth set wins.
Junior setter Lauryn Davis dished out 30 assists, while junior setter Brynn Warnack added 23.
McMurry continues its ASC Crossover Saturday against UT Dallas at noon.
