Wednesday, September 17, 1997

McMurry hands Hardin-Simmons sixth straight loss

Mandy Findley led a balanced attack with nine kills and Amy Jo Williams added four kills and a match-high 15 digs as McMurry University handed Hardin-Simmons its sixth straight volleyball loss, 15-8, 15-9, 15-7, at Mabee Complex.

The Lady Indians (4-2) beat HSU for the fifth time in the past six meetings. Tracee Nielsen led McMurry with 20 assists while Sabrina Griffin had 13 digs in the American Southwest Conference opener for both teams.

Junior transfer Jill Gibson led the Cowgirls (1-6) with 10 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Amy Corbitt chipped in with six kills, 14 digs and two service aces.

Both teams play Southwestern University next. HSU hosts Southwestern Thursday at 7 p.m. while McMurry's game is Saturday at 2 p.m. in Kimbrell Arena.

Central tops Lady Eagles

Serving problems were costly for Abilene High Tuesday night at Eagle Gym in a 15-10, 16-14 District 4-5A loss to San Angelo Central.

The Lady Eagles dropped the first game but were on the verge of leveling the match with a 14-10 lead in the second game.

But AHS missed two serves in a row, and the Lady Bobcats used that opening to take the lead -- along with the game and the match.

"We missed six serves in the second game and four in the first," said AHS coach Didi Pierce, whose team is 0-2 in district and 7-11 overall. "Anytime you miss 10 serves in one match, chances are you're not going to come out on top."

Sara Laster led AHS in kills with seven, but all of them came in the second game. Teammate Brittany McCollough blocked three serves.

In the first game, the Lady Eagles found themselves down 6-1 early. They held off the game point at 14-8 with four sideouts before Central won it.

The second game was close throughout. The Lady Eagles were up 10-6 and 14-10 before the serving woes cropped up again.

The next match for the Lady Eagles will be a district contest Saturday at Midland High, starting at 2:30 p.m.