DALLAS – McMurry battled in a five-set loss to Wisconsin-Superior and on very short rest came up empty in a three-set loss to Nebraska Wesleyan at the University of Dallas Tournament on Friday.
 
Annikah Frank and Carli Colbert came up with 11 kills each in the opener while Ashlyn Quillan posted 22 assists and Colbert added 20. Colbert completed the triple-double with 16 digs. Frank led the front-line defense with three blocks.
 
Hannah Page guided the back row with 33 digs and Jacee Dinkins added 17.
 
The Hornets won 25-27, 25-19, 25-17, 18-25, 15-12.
 
The War Hawks roared back from being down 21-14 in the first set and fought off three set points before scoring the last three points of the match, including kills by Rylie Patterson and Frank.
 
McMurry trailed 2-1 after three sets but forced the fifth set with a defensive flex that held the Hornets to a .071 attack percentage in the fourth set.
 
The War Hawks took an 8-6 lead into the court switch in the final set, but UWS rolled off the next three points and claimed five of the last six to seal the match.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan won the second match, 25-13, 25-10, 25-10.
 
McMurry was originally supposed to get a break after the opener but a flight delay for another team forced a schedule change.
 
Jennika Willis had four kills for McMurry. Page had eight digs.
 
The War Hawks return to action Saturday with matches at 10 a.m. against St. John Fisher and 2 p.m. against Lakeland.