BOX SCORE

ABILENE, Texas --- In a match that will carry much more importance towards the end of American Southwest Conference play, it will still be one the Tornados wish they had back as April Birdsong's team was unable to close out a 2-1 set advantage as Concordia was defeated by McMurry 14-25, 25-22, 25-19, 17-25, and 11-15 Saturday afternoon at Kimbrell Arena.

The loss drops CTX to 2-5, 0-2 ASC while the McMurry victory improves their record to 5-5, 2-1 ASC.

CTX fell on the losing end of the back and forth battle mostly due to their inconsistency on the front line as the Tornados hit just .019 as a team and recorded nearly as many attack errors, (35) as they did kills (38). McMurry was only able to hit at a .128 clip for the match, but the timely hitting they received was the difference in the game as they hit .318, .300, and .143 in the sets they won.

McMurry dominated the first set as they jumped out to a 22-6 lead and cruised to the 25-14 win. The Tornados were able to take an early lead in sets two and three and used the momentum to pick up wins of 25-22 and 25-19.

Concordia and McMurry then traded points until MCM went on a 7-2 run mid-set to break away for the 25-17 victory in set four. It was the same number for McMurry in set five as they used three consecutive service aces to open up a 6-0 advantage and hold off Concordia for the 15-11 match win.

Bianca Martinez dished out 20 assists on the night while Sammy Ladewig chipped in with 10. Haley Phillips and Amanda Affolter combined for 7 of the team's 11 service aces on the afternoon as well.

McMurry was led by Bailey Marcum who recorded a season-high 16 kills on the night and teammate MJ Vickers added 15 kills and 14 digs.

Concordia will return home to the CTX Fieldhouse next week as the Tornados host Texas Lutheran and Howard Payne on the 18th and 21st. Game times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.