BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Bianca Martinez recorded 14 assists and seven digs, but the Concordia University Texas volleyball team fell to Hardin-Simmons by a 3-0 decision on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the CTX Field House. Set scores were 25-20, 25-13 and 25-16.

The competitive first set featured 12 ties and six lead changes with the teams staying within a few points each other most of the way. After an Alison Pringle kill tied the game, Hardin-Simmons scored three straight points and started to break away. Concordia fought back and went ahead by a 16-14 score thanks to consecutive aces by Amanda Affolter, but the Cowgirls recovered. Tori Martinez smashed a kill and then teamed up with Hannah Hornsby for a block to put the visitors ahead for good at 21-20 before Christine Sas capped a 6-0 Cowgirl run to end the set with two straight aces.

Hardin-Simmons (21-3, ASC 14-0), which is the only unbeaten team left in conference play, used the momentum it obtained in the first set to take the second by a wider margin. Concordia rallied from a 7-3 deficit and went ahead by one on a solo block by Emma Clifford, but a Tornado service error followed by an attacking error allowed Hardin-Simmons to take back the lead. The Cowgirls used a 9-0 run to go up 21-10 before Molli Owen set up Madison Reyes and Hornsby for three straight kills to give the visitors a 12-point victory.

Concordia (10-15, ASC 5-9), came out of the locker room and scored the first four points of the third set and appeared to be in control. Hardin-Simmons, however, came right back and rattled off five straight points to take an 8-5 advantage. The Tornados came within one point on multiple occasions courtesy of a service ace by Affolter and a kill by Clifford, but that was as close as they would come the rest of the way. The Cowgirl lead grew to as many as six until two straight Tornado attacking errors gave them their 17th consecutive victory.

In addition to Martinez, who also had one ace, Concordia also got strong contributions from Stacy Manship and Affolter. Manship had five kills and seven digs, while Affolter had four service aces. Alissa Johnson added a team-high 11 digs.

Sas paced Hardin-Simmons with 14 digs, seven service aces and five kills. Reyes and Martinez posted 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while Martinez also added four blocks. Addison Zaya had 15  digs.

Concordia, which is still in contention for a spot in the American Southwest Conference Tournament, will play Schreiner in a pivotal league battle on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Affolter, Martinez and Suzy Parker will be honored for their contributions prior to the match.
-agate-
Hardin-Simmons def. Concordia, 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-16)