Crusaders Split Final Day of Crossover Tournament
Irving, TX - The University of Dallas volleyball team concluded the Austin College and University of Dallas Crossover Tournament on Saturday. After winning their first two game on Friday, Dallas split their final two games with a loss to Rhodes College (TN) 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 21-25, 15-25) and win against McMurry University 3-1 (25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19).
Match 1 - Rhodes
In the first set, UD jumped out to a narrow lead with their largest lead at 7-3. The Lynx forced multiple ties and eventually took the lead at 22-21. UD outfought Rhodes in the final points to eventually win the set in extra points 26-24.
In the second set, Rhodes got ahead quickly and never looked back. The Lynx went up 10-4 before the Crusaders closed the margin to its narrowest point of the set, 11-9. Rhodes then pullled away to eventually even the game a one set apiece.
Dallas took a brief lead in the third set at 2-1 before Rhodes took control. The Lynx went on a 9-1 run to go up 10-3 before scoring evened out again over the next several points. At 21-12, UD threatened a comeback going on 9-1 spree to bring the game to 22-21. Rhodes held off the Crusaders' offensive and scored the last three points to end the third set 25-21.
Rhodes took command from the beginning of the fourth set with the closest score at 7-6. From there, the Lynz went on two five point runs to build their lead to 17-8. Rhodes then cruised to the finish to close out the set and win the match 3-1.
Freshman Lanie Doyle (La Grange, Texas) led the team in attacks with with 30 and added seven kills. Dayjah Whyte (Round Rock, Texas) also had seven kills along with 27 attacks, and Abby Medico (Tulsa, Okla.) had the team high in kills with nine along with 28 attacks.
For Rhodes, Shayla Garrison was the game leader in attacks and tied for the lead in kills with 32 and 10, and Gabrielle White led the game in total blocks with 11 blocks coming off of one solo block and 10 block assists. Kathryn Chambers added 22 attacks along with 10 kills and nine block assists.
Match 2 - McMurry
In set number one, the War Hawks took an early 5-2 lead off a 5-0 run behind the serves of Madison Cuellar. Dallas came back to tie the game at 9-9 before McMurry attempted to pull away again going up 21-14. Dallas then roared back with a 10-0 run behind the serves of Savannah Walker (San Antonio, Texas) to nearly clinching the first set at 24-21. McMurry interrupted UD's run with a point before UD finally won the set 25-22.
McMurry took another early lead in the second set, as the War Hawks went ahead 8-5. Dallas tied the game at 8-8, before the two teams traded several points, and then the Crusaders went on a 7-0 run to go up 16-10. McMurry answered back with their own 5-0 run before tying the game at 22-22, which they did in the midst of another 5-0 run. McMurry threatened to tie the game at one set apiece, but the Crusaders then scored five of the next six points to win 27-25 and go up 2-0.
The third set was played fairly evenly by both teams and alternated between trading points and trading runs. Dallas went up quickly 3-0 followed by McMurry's response to go ahead 4-3. After the game was tied at 5-5, 6-6, and 7-7, McMurry went up 10-8, which was followed by a UD 5-0 run. McMurry then scored six of the next seven before the teams started trading again and found themselves deadlocked at 21-21. McMurry scored five of the last six points to win the set 25-22 and extend the game to a fourth set.
The hard fought play of the previous sets repeated themselves in the fourth as the teams were tied again at 9-9. McMurry went ahead 12-9 before UD put together a collection of small runs to take leads of 13-12, 17-15, and 22-17. The Crusaders then put McMurry away by putting together a 25-19 victory and winning the match 3-1.
Whyte led all players in kills with 16, and Medico led all Crusaders in attacks with 32. Whyte ended Saturday with 23 kills and 56 attacks and Medico ended with 15 kills and 60 attacks. Larissa Ramirez (San Antonio, Texas) had her fourth game of 30 plus assists this season with 34 against McMurry. Chloe Ilagan (Sugar Land, Texas) led the team with 17 digs, and Doyle was also in double-digits with 12. Whyte had a game high in block assists with five, which was supported by Doyle who chipped in four.
McMurry's Kaylie Vasil led the game in attacks with 34 and led the War Hawks in kills with 11. Vasil also added 14 digs, but game leader was teammate Adile Leal with 20.
UD's record is now 4-1 (0-0) after Saturday. With the win Rhodes improves to 3-1 (0-0), and with the loss McMurry drops to 1-3 (0-0). Dallas continues the season with a trip to LeTourneau on Tuesday, September 7 and then journey to Arkansas to play in the Hendrix Warrior Invitational with one game on Friday, September 10 and two games on Saturday, September 11. Tuesday's game will be at 6:00 PM. Friday's game against St. Thomas (TX) will be at 4:00PM, and Saturday's games against Southern Arkansas University and Hendrix College (AR) will be at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. All times are Central.