(October 16, 2008)--The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team battled back from an early deficit, but the Cru comeback fell just short in a five-set loss to U.T.-Tyler Thursday night in Belton. The loss drops UMHB to 5-17 overall and 3-7 in American Southwest Conference play. The Patriots improve to 10-11 overall and 4-6 in the ASC with the victory.

UMHB dropped the first two sets before fighting back to win the next two. Game five would be tied late before the Patriots pulled away to cap a 25-13, 25-21, 14-25, 22-25, 15-11 victory. After U.T.-Tyler won the first two sets, the Cru stormed out to a 7-0 lead in set three and scored 15 of the first 21 points in the set to coast to the win. UTT scored the first five points of the fourth set before the Cru clawed its way back into the set. It would be tied at 22 before UMHB scored the final three points. The two teams would then be tied at 11 in the deciding fifth game before U.T.-Tyler scored the final four points to clinch the victory.

Kayla Skrobarcyzk led the Cru with 15 kills and Amanda Roberson added eight more. Kayla Marzean had a team-high 29 assists and added 17 digs. Erin Maenius led the Cru with 25 digs and Jana Foster recorded four service aces. Kelsey Winn topped the Patriots with 19 kills and Amanda Hanson added 13. Cristy Meredith recorded 16 assists and Megan McCarty chipped in with 34 digs. The Patriots also recorded 12 service aces as a team.

The Cru will now continue its home stand with the ASC Cross-Over Tournament on Friday and Saturday. There will be a total of 12 matches played over the course of two days at the Mayborn Campus Center. UMHB will open the tournament with matches against Sul Ross State University and McMurry University on Friday.