Sept. 28, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons volleyball team gave a great effort but came up just short in a five-game American Southwest Conference thriller with McMurry, 30-27, 26-30, 30-23, 27-30, 15-12 on Tuesday night at the Mabee Complex.

HSU battled back from a two games two one deficit with a well-played fourth game. Freshman Chelsea Buetow had eight of her career-high 25 kills in the fourth game. In the deciding game the Cowgirls jumped ahead 10-7, but the Indians came storming back to take the lead.

At 12-12 in the fifth the Indians' Abbey Hester served an ace, then the Cowgirls were called in the net the next play. McMurry won a scramble for the last point to take their sixth straight win over the Cowgirls.

Kerra LeBlanc led a standout performance by the Cowgirl defense with 33 digs. Melanie Wallace had a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs.

Danielle Bolin led McMurry with 16 kills and 22 digs. Kair Meuth had 18 kills and Laura Sleeth and Audrey LaBeff had 10 kills each.

HSU fell to 4-7 overall and 1-4 in ASC West action. McMurry improved to 10-4 and 2-3 in ASC West play. Hsu hosts Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia-Austin this weekend.