IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas volleyball team opened the 2026 Crusader Classic with a split Friday night at the Maher Athletic Center, battling through a five-set thriller against McMurry University before closing the night with a three-set setback against Hardin-Simmons University.
Dallas opened the tournament with a dramatic 3-2 victory over McMurry, earning its first win of the season after sets of 25-21, 20-25, 25-12, 20-25 and 16-14.
The Crusaders came out strong in the opening set, using a balanced offensive attack to take a 1-0 lead. McMurry answered in the second, but Dallas responded emphatically in the third, hitting .063 as a team while limiting the Warhawks to a -.219 hitting percentage.
After McMurry forced a decisive fifth set, the Crusaders held their composure in a tense finish, edging the Warhawks 16-14 to secure the victory.
Faith Harris led the Dallas attack with 15 kills, while Jordan Jackson added 10. Ja'Niyah Boudreaux contributed five kills, while Anais Ibarra and Gisele Morales combined for 33 assists. Ibarra also recorded three service aces, while Ellie Karasek led the team with four aces.
Defensively, Skylar Applewhite anchored the net with four blocks. Ava Jackson paced the Crusaders with 15 digs, followed by Morales with 11 and Harris with nine.
Dallas finished the match with advantages in kills (42-39), aces (14-12), blocks (5-2) and assists (40-38).
( Photographed by Collin Clayton )
The Crusaders returned to the court later Friday night for their second match of the day, facing Hardin-Simmons in a late-night matchup.
Hardin-Simmons took the match in three sets, 25-19, 25-22 and 25-18, moving Dallas to 1-1 on the season.
Jordan Jackson paced the Crusaders with nine kills, while Harris added eight and Emily Madigan contributed six. Ibarra recorded 12 assists and two aces, with Morales adding 10 assists.
Applewhite once again led Dallas at the net with three blocks, while Ava Jackson recorded 11 digs and Harris added nine.
Despite the late-night loss, Dallas showed flashes of the competitive fight that defined its opening match, finishing the first night of the Crusader Classic 1-1.
The Crusaders continue tournament play Saturday at the Maher Athletic Center.
