AUSTIN, Texas – Sarah Ghormley registered a new career high with 20 kills, but her performance was spoiled as the Concordia Texas volleyball team fell to Sul Ross State 3-1 on Friday.
 
Ghormley recorded her fourth double-double of the season, filling the stat sheet with 20 kills and 15 digs. The junior hit at a .474 clip on the match, as well as adding two assists and a service ace to her line.
 
The Tornados came out on top of a back-and-forth first set that required extra points, taking a 1-0 lead after winning the frame 29-27, but SRSU recovered and took the next three sets. Ultimately, CTX fell 3-1, unable to curb the Sul Ross attack.
 
In the first set, the Lobos took an early 7-0 lead, but a kill from Kylexus Block put the first CTX point on the board and turned the tides as they clawed their way back from an early deficit. With SRSU staring down set point with a 24-18 advantage, the Tornados ran off to a 7-0 run that included three kills from Ghormley, taking a 25-24 lead. After a back-and-forth exchange, Concordia Texas took set one by a score of 29-27.
 
A solo block from Abi Hilpert in the opening points of the second set gave CTX a quick 3-0 lead, and she picked up a kill that tied the score at 8-8 later in the frame. The Tornados and the Lobos exchanged points before a kill from Nicole Deering capped of a 3-0 run, giving her team a 15-12 lead. However, Sul Ross State answered with an 8-6 run, bringing them within one of a 20-19 lead, and followed with a 6-4 stretch to close out the frame, besting the Tornados 25-23 in the second set.
 
The Tornados struggled to mount an attack in the third set, falling 25-10 despite three kills from Block.
 
In the final set, CTX jumped out to a 13-12 lead behind three kills from Deering and two from Ghormley, but SRSU fought back to take a 23-19 advantage. However, the Tornados did not quit, as Jaya McCarty delivered a kill to bring the Tornados within one at 24-23. Despite battling back, the next point went the Lobos' way, as they sealed the match with a 25-23 victory in set four.
 
Block totaled 16 kills on the match, her seventh time this season in double digits, and Deering recorded a near double-double with 11 kills and eight digs.
 
Legette picked up her fourth double-double of the year, penciling in 42 assists and 13 digs, and Hilpert had four blocks at the net.
 
The Tornados will prepare for a quick turnaround, hosting Howard Payne on Saturday at 1 pm in Concordia Fieldhouse as they continue ASC play.