MARION, Ala. – The Mississippi University for Women volleyball team took a trip to Marion, Ala. to face the Judson College junior varsity and varsity teams on Tuesday, Sept. 26. In two hard fought matches, the Owls swept the Eagles 2-0 (25-21, 25-19) in the junior varsity match and 3-2 (21-25, 32-30, 25-18, 23-25, 17-15) in the varsity match.
In match one, MUW showcased a different line-up; starting Savannah Thomas, Allyson Murff, and Catelyn Ruth, Tori Weir, Haley McMurphey, and Mary Grace Prine. Macey Presley entered the game in relief to play in her first game of the season.
The Eagles hung on to the Owls for much of the first and second set, proving to be a worthy opponent. The W minimized errors and was able to capitalize on several scoring streaks to claim the victory.
Haley McMurphey led the Owls offensively with five kills on 10 attacks. She also collected three service aces, five digs, and one block assist for 8.5 points.
Megan Parks, freshman libero, led the defense with seven digs. She also grabbed two assists and two service aces for 2.0 points.
In the second match against the varsity team, the Owls started Jayla Lockett in her first game of the season. Lockett, Jasper, Ala. native, made her MUW debut in her home state after missing the first part of the season due to injury. Her return to the court did not go unnoticed. The freshman right side hitter brought a new energy to team that seemed to provide extra motivation to the Owls in crucial points in the match.
The W struggled to hold on to leads in set one and Judson pulled ahead of the Owls. The Eagles started the match up 1-0, taking set one 25-21.
In the second set, the Owls led the Eagles by seven points but allowed Judson to comeback and tie the game. The set ended with the two teams battling for set point but a kill by Kayla King took the final point of the set for MUW. The Owls win set two 32-30 for the highest scoring set of the season.
In the fourth set, the Owls grabbed a good lead over the Eagles but fatigue began to get the best of them. Judson took the set 25-23 to force The W's first fifth set match of the season.
The Owls started the fifth set in a deficit, down 5-0. A couple of questionable calls by the referee seem to take the energy from them. After a couple of timeouts, the Owls seemed to refocus to tie the game. The Owls continued to play hard and was able to take the set 17-15 to win the match 3-2.
Kayla King, freshman outside hitter, led the MUW offense with 24 kills on 43 total attacks. She also collected two assists, three service aces, and 11 digs for 27.5 points.
Allyson Murff, freshman setter, led the team in assist with a match high and career high of 42. She also recorded two kills, two service aces, and eight digs.
The Owls will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 29 when they host Tougaloo College at the Pohl Gymnasium. The first serve is set for 6 p.m.
For the latest on Owls volleyball and the rest of The W athletics, visit the Owls official website, OwlsAthletics.com, or follow the Owls on social media at The W Athletics on Facebook and @TheWAthletics on Instagram and Twitter.
