ABILENE – McMurry begins its volleyball season on the road this weekend at the University of Dallas Tournament.
 
The War Hawks play at noon and at 4 p.m. on Friday against Wisconsin-Superior and Nebraska Wesleyan, respectively. McMurry finishes the weekend with matches at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday against St. John Fisher and Lakeland.
 
McM Storylines
 
HELLO, MY NAME IS: McMurry meets all four of its weekend opponents for the first time in history. It's the first time since 2018 that the War Hawks have met four new opponents to start the season. McM went 4-0 in the Virginia Wesleyan Invitational in 2018, beating Virginia Wesleyan, Penn State Berks, Geneva and Randolph-Macon.
 
NEW LEAGUE: The War Hawks begin their Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference era this season. McMurry is picked ninth in the new league by the conference coaches.
 
ON A (HONOR) ROLL: The American Volleyball Coaches Association this month named McMurry Volleyball as a winner of the 2024 AVCA Team Academic Award with an additional distinction of inclusion on the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll. It is the second consecutive year for the War Hawks to land on the honor roll, representing the top 20 percent of GPAs across Division III. The academic award requires a 3.3 team grade point average. McMurry came in a 3.7.
 
DINKINS KILLS: McMurry returns 2023 kills leader Jacee Dinkins this season. Dinkins averaged 2.68 kills per set and led the team with 2.91 points per set.
 
ASSISTANCE: The War Hawks return their assist leaders from last year. Erin Fallon averaged 3.91 sets in 46 sets. Ashlyn Quillan played in 86 sets and averaged 3.52 assists per set.
 
ENTRY DENIED: Addyson Tiffin brings back her team-leading block talents this season. She led McMurry with 34 blocks in 77 sets last season.
 
ON THE ATTACK: McMurry finished last season as the No. 50 team in attacks per game. The War Hawks averaged 37.53 attacks per set.
 
SCOUTING SUPERIOR: Wisconsin-Superior went 19-11 last season but only 2-5 on neutral courts. The Yellowjackets' Jenna Anderson was first-team All-Upper Midwest Athletic Conference last season and was 18^th in Division III with 5.67 digs per set.
 
SCOUTING NEBRASKA WESLEYAN: The Prairie Wolves of NWU went 21-8 last season. Addie Thomas is back after being named American Rivers Conference MVP last season. She averaged 4.11 kills per set.
 
SCOUTING ST. JOHN FISHER: The Cardinals were 17-12 last season. St. John Fisher returns five starters from that team, including Player of the Year Kaylene Noble (388 kills, 251 digs, 36 blocks, 33 aces) and Defensive Player of the Year Kiera Hartpence (411 digs, 38 aces).
 
SCOUTING LAKELAND: Lakeland had a 15-12 record in 2023. Susana Stevens led the Muskies last year with 3.11 kills. Katie Metzler is back after leading the team with 73 blocks.