Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's volleyball team picked up a huge victory on Tuesday evening, taking down McMurry, 3-2 at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers took the match in five sets, 26-24, 21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 15-9.
 
"This gets us one step closer to reaching our goal and making the conference tournament," head coach Sean Donahue said.
 
St. Edward's (7-11, 5-5 HC) opened the first, tied with McMurry (8-12, 5-5 HC). Kayla Hines had it going early for the War Hawks as they raced to a 16-10 advantage. Back-to-back aces from KELLY JIMENEZ moved the Hilltoppers closer as they eventually tied McMurry, 21-21. The two teams traded points and were tied, 24-24. Kills by AMY JONES and HANNAH RAUCH gave the first set to St. Edward's. The War Harks committed six service errors during the set.
 
In the second set, McMurry took the first three points before St. Edward's rattled off an 8-1 run keyed by four attack errors by Hines. The run gave the Hilltoppers an 8-4 lead. The War Hawks came charging back, using a 13-8 run to take a 17-16 lead. Kelsey Harkins had three kills during the stretch to lead the way. With McMurry leading 21-20, the visitors a would take four of the last five points due to four attack errors by the Hilltoppers to even the match at a set each.
 
The third set saw both teams tied at 13-13. St. Edward's scored six-straight points on the strength of two aces from LOREN KELLY, two kills by ELISSA STANTON, and even a kill from defensive specialist JESSICA MORALES. Two aces by MARY KOEHLER allowed the Hilltoppers to coast to victory in the third set.
 
Tied at 17-17 in the fourth set, McMurry used a strong hitting attack to rally down the stretch and win eight of the last 12 points to send it to a deciding fifth set. The War Hawks hit .367 as a team during the set.
 
In the fifth set, St. Edward's raced out to a 7-3 lead and forced the War Hawks to take a timeout. After St. Edward's made it 8-3, McMurry took three-straight points and forced St. Edward's to take a timeout at 8-6. Three kills by Koehler, two by Jones and an ace Morales keyed the Hilltoppers on a 7-3 run to end the match, 15-9.
 
The win avenged a Hilltopper loss at the hands of the War Hawks earlier this season in Abilene.
 
Jimenez was outstanding on the back row all evening, registering a season-high 31 digs to go along with her four aces. Ten of those digs alone came in a set three victory for the Hilltoppers.
 
"The switch from outside hitter to libero has been a positive for both Kelly (Jimenez) and the team," Donahue said. "The new role is a natural fit for her. Tonight showed that."
 
Koehler was also on top of her game, pounding out a match-high 15 kills, while also tallying 21 digs and three aces. Jones had 10 kills and seven digs in a supporting role, while Kelly dished out a season-high 29 assists with 12 digs for her third double-double of the season.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they travel to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville. First-serve is set for 1 p.m. in Kingsville, Texas. Live video and stats will be available on the Javelina Athletic website.