ABILENE – The McMurry volleyball team is back in action on Friday, visiting the University of the Southwest for a 7 p.m. (Central) contest in Hobbs, N.M.
 
McM Storylines
 
RENEWING ACQUAINTANCES: The War Hawks and Mustangs haven't played since 2014 after meeting seven times from 2012-14. McMurry won all seven matches and lost only two sets in those seven contests.
 
EQUAL TO THE TASK: McMurry's desire to move on from a two-win season last year is off to a strong start. The War Hawks won twice last Saturday to pull their 2024 record to 2-2. A McM win on Friday will put the War Hawks above .500 for the first time since Nov. 3, 2022.
 
THE OFFENSE: Jennika Willis leads the War Hawks with 2.23 kills per set and has a .207 attack percentage. Carli Colbert has a team-leading seven aces and averages 4.31 assists per set.
 
THE D: Rylie Patterson, Jacee Dinkins and Addyson Tiffin have provided a solid front on defense. Patterson averages 0.79 blocks per set and Dinkins and Tiffin check in at 0.62 each. The back row features Hannah Page's 4.93 digs per game, while Colbert sits at 3.15.
 
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS: This will be the season opener for USW. The Mustangs went 4-25 last season with two wins each over Huston-Tillotson and Texas College.
 
NEXT UP: McMurry heads to Mississippi Sept. 13-14 for its final non-conference tournament, taking on LeTourneau, Huntingdon, Belhaven and their hosts, Millsaps in the Millsaps College Tournament,