AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas volleyball dropped the opening set, but behind
Sarah Ghormley's career-high 18 kills, came from behind to defeat Hardin-Simmons 3-1 on Saturday and set the program record for most conference wins in a single season.
Prior to the start of the game, the Tornados celebrated senior day, honoring their three seniors
Tristyn Massey,
Lianne VanDyke and
Sam Mendez.
Concordia Texas fell in the opening set 20-25, but rallied to win the next three sets 25-20, 25-19 and 25-6 for their 20th win of the season, their most wins in a single season since 1999.
The Tornados only had nine kills in the first set, while the Cowgirls hit at a .256 percentage and led 1-0 in the match.
Concordia Texas, in the second set, fell behind 10-3 early on. The Tornados battled back though, tying it up at 18-all after a 4-0 spurt including three straight kills by Massey. Massey finished the day with 12 kills, hitting at a .357 mark.
Concordia Texas would win seven of the next nine points in the set and even the match at 1-all.
In the third set, the Tornados fell behind once again in the opening points of the set, trailing HSU 6-0.
Once again, CTX rallied and took their first lead of the game at 12-11 after a 6-1 run led by Massey and Ghormley, who combined for seven kills in the set. Mendez capped off the set win with a kill to put the Tornados up 2-1 in the match.
In her final home match, Mendez finished with 11 kills and four digs.
In the final set, CTX found their rhythm, winning 11 of the first 12 points and never looked back, holding HSU to only six points in the set.
Three players had double-doubles, led by Ghormley, tallying a career-high 18 kills along with 16 digs, while Massey finished with 12 kills and 11 digs and VanDyke, in her final match inside Concordia Fieldhouse, had 23 assists and 11 digs.
Next, the Tornados will travel to Belton, Texas for their final conference matchup of the season, facing Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday at 6 p.m.