Sept. 19, 2007

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ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's volleyball team won its home opener by defeating crosstown rival McMurry, 30-24, 30-22, 22-30, 30-28, in American Southwest Conference action Wednesday night at the Mabee Complex.

HSU jumped to early leads in games number one and two and held on for relatively easy wins. In game three McMurry pulled away in the middle of the game with a 5-0 rally and won 30-22. The Cowgirls put the match away in the fourth, pulling away down the stretch for a 30-28 win.

Sophomore middle blocker Cambra Hughes led the Cowgirls' offense with 15 kills and freshman Cambra Hughes had 11 kills. Amanda Mace hit double-digit in kills with 10. Megan Lawrence had 21 digs and Sam Lucien added 17 as the Cowgirls played good defense for most of the match.

Both teams struggled with their serving as they combined for 27 service errors. Nerves could have played a factor as the crowd of 700 was the biggest crowd at an HSU volleyball match in several years.

McMurry was paced by Danielle Kelton's 12 kills. Sarah Anding had 23 digs for McMurry.

HSU has now won five straight in the series and the Cowgirls moved to 6-4 on the year and to 3-0 in league play. McMurry lost its first match of the season to fall to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in ASC play.