September 24, 2011
San Antonio – The St. Mary’s volleyball team produced another game of stunning stats to go along with their stunning record in a 3-1 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday.
The Rattlers (12-1) took hold of the match, winning the first two sets 25-22 and 25-19, respectively, and were confident in bringing home a 3-0 victory at Bill Greehey Arena. But the Aggies (3-12) came to play.
Oklahoma Panhandle State took more control of the court the third set and was able to close out the Rattlers 25-21 with 26 assists by April McCain, taking it to a fourth game.
The St. Mary’ s volleyball team’s pep talk before the set had its effect and the Rattlers came out fierce, not allowing the Aggies to gain control of the scoreboard before closing out the match at 25-14.
“After losing that third set we had to step it up in the fourth,” said Allie Murray, the junior native of San Antonio.
Apparently Murray was still hot from Thursday’s matched against Texas-Permian Basin, which she recorded 51 assists.
She did it again today.
“Everyday you have to come in with the mentality that every team’s going to challenge you in any way possible and you have to be ready for them to be like they’re the No. 1 team in the region,” said Murray, who averaged 12.75 assists per set over the week.
Murray definitely had that mentality, producing back-to-back stellar performances with 51 assists in her each of her past two games for a total of 533 for the season.
Murray wasn’t the only Rattler who lit up the stats sheet; Taylor Obermiller (Fr., San Antonio) matched her career high in kills with 13, which she just set this Thursday. Karlie Ortega (So., San Antonio) was right along with her with 19 kills. Ortega also set her career high for kills against Texas-Permian Basin on Thursday with 22.
No doubt about it, the stats of the St. Mary’s volleyball team reflect its successful start and its Heartland Conference record of 3-1. Growing in experience with each game, the Rattlers are showing they are real contenders in the conference, which saw St. Edward’s defeat Arkansas-Fort Smith in a match of unbeatens on Saturday. The result leaves St. Mary’s tied for second in the conference with UA Fort Smith, which handed the Rattlers their only defeat of the season last weekend.
The Rattlers continue their conference play on Wednesday against Texas A&M International in Laredo at 7 p.m.