Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – After a close first set, the St. Edward's Volleyball team blasted past McMurry in the final two to take a sweep Thursday night at the Recreation and Convocation Center, 25-23, 25-14, and 25-13.

In the first set, McMurry (12-7) took control early on, putting St. Edward's (13-7) in a hole, 6-2. The Hilltoppers slowly began to chip away at the War Hawks lead with a hitting error by McMurry and a kill from HANNAH RAUCH to bring the set within two, 6-4. The two teams continued to go point-for-point as St. Edward's looked to pull away. Up by one, 13-12, a service ace from Hilltopper COURTNEY TREVINO sparked a 4-1 run putting St. Edward's up, 17-13. The War Hawks were quick to respond as M.J. Vickers delivered a kill that led to a five-point rally by McMurry to give them the lead, 18-17. Both defenses would hold the other team from any long rallies as the Hilltoppers regained their lead in comeback fashion claiming four of the final five points of the set to win, 25-23.

The War Hawks answered with a vengeance taking advantage of early miscues from St. Edward's in the second set to go up, 4-1. Trevino came through with two more service aces followed by kills from MEREDITH BARD and MARY KOEHLER to give the Hilltoppers the lead. St. Edward's took the momentum and shut down the War Hawk offense for the rest of the set. The Hilltoppers held McMurry to single points without a rally as they continued to add to their lead. Up 22-13, MICHELLE HUNDT's service ace led a final 3-1 run for St. Edward's as they went on to win the set, 25-14.

The long rallies between the two teams continued in the third set with the Hilltoppers claiming the small victories. Up 13-9, another service ace from Hundt led to three kills for St. Edward's giving them the lead, 18-9. The lead proved too much for the War Hawks as the Hilltoppers poured on the points. Ale'tra Ware and Bard would finish off the match with back-to-back kills as St. Edward's won, 25-13.

Offense for the Hilltoppers was evenly distributed as MARY KOEHLER finished with eight kills and Bard, Trevino, and Ware each tallied seven kills. Hundt collected an impressive 26 digs in the three-set victory, and the team finished with a season high 11 total service aces and 10 total blocks.

St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday to take on Heartland Conference rival UT-Permian Basin at the Recreation and Convocation Center at noon. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper website.