Interview with HSU head coach Sabrina Bingham
Photo Gallery
Final Bracket
Recap of Entire Tournament

Box Score

RICHARDSON, Texas — Hardin-Simmons' volleyball repeated as American Southwest Conference champions on Saturday afternoon as the Cowgirls defeated crosstown rival McMurry 25-19, 25-27, 27-25, 17-25, 15 at UTD Activity Center.

The Cowgirls won what is likely the last meeting between the two longtime rivals and making it for the ASC title made it that much more satisfying.

"We don't have anything but respect for McMurry," said HSU head coach Sabrina Bingham. "They are a very good team and have had a great year, but my girls just fought as hard as they could and we came out on top again. We beat a very good team two days in a row and I could not be prouder."

"Our team is young with just one senior and one healthy junior. I was anxious to see how we would respond when we lost to them for the ASC West title a little over a week ago. We won four last weekend and then we won four more this weekend. Eight matches in one week not to mention a bus ride from Abilene to Memphis and back is a tough week physically and we fought through it. I couldn't be happier for our team."  

Running out to an 8-3 lead in the first game it was all HSU. McMurry was never closer than three points the rest of the game. HSU led by as many as seven at 19-12.

Unfortunately, McMurry had a late rally in the second game when it looked like the Cowgirls were going to roll to a 2-0 lead. HSU led 19-13, but MCM scored five straight points and eventually took the lead at 23-22. Bailey Marcum and Kasi Conners had back-to-back kills to win the game for McMurry.

Like McMurry in game two it was HSU's turn in the third game for a little late magic. No one led by more than three points the entire game and McMurry had a game point at 25-24, but Jasmine Qualls serve went into the net and Hannah Hornsby and Tori Martinez teamed to block Bailey Marcum's shot and Hornsby ended the game with a kill.

Everything went McMurry's way in the fourth game as they took control of game four with an 8-2 run midway through. It didn't matter as it was all Hardin-Simmons in the fifth game.

Sabrina Bingham's Cowgirls would not be denied in game five. HSU jumped to an 8-3 lead at the change of ends and McMurry cut it to 10-7, but HSU rolled off two straight points and in the end Christine Sas' kill ended the match and HSU collected its third ASC title since 2006.

HSU has played in the last seven ASC tournaments (the only seven in school history) and have won three and finished as the runner up three times.

The Cowgirls were led by tournament MVP Madison Reyes with 15 kills and 21 digs. She also had four blocks and three service aces.

Sas also had a double-double with 13 kills and 27 digs. She was also named to the all-tournament team as was senior setter Kaitlin Mitchell after recording a 28 assist, 11-dig effort.

Morgan Watts had nine kills and six blocks, Tori Martinez had nine kills and seven blocks and Hannah Hornsby had a career-best 15 kills. Ashley Babineaux had a career-best 30 digs.

The Cowgirls limited McMurry to a .131 hitting percentage. The War Hawks came in as the top hitting team in the ASC. HSU hit .157 and also recorded 13 blocks.

HSU is now 29-5 on the year and McMurry is 28-5. The win punches the Cowgirls ticket to the NCAA Tournament next weekend.

-Courtesy Hardin-Simmons university Sports Information Department

All-Tournament Team

Madison Reyes, Hardin-Simmons – MVP
Dana Hilzendager, Texas-Dallas
Danika Waldrep, Texas-Tyler
MJ Vickers, McMurry
Bailey Marcum, McMurry
Kaitlin Mitchell, Hardin-Simmons
Christine Sas, Hardin-Simmons