Murray quickly dispatches Diagonal, 3-0

MURRAY — Working quickly and efficiently off its service game and net attacks, the Murray volleyball team swept visiting Diagonal Thursday night, 25-5, 25-11, 25-7.

Diagonal, with only an eight-member squad, played a close JV match with Murray before the Mustangs overpowered them in varsity play.

Sophomore Hannah Barber smacked successive kills to set up an eight-point service string by Megan Oswald in the opening set, taking the hosts to a 21-3 lead. Two service aces by Barber finished off the 25-5 victory.

Murray rolled to a 22-6 lead in the second set. But, a kill deep to the Murray court by Diagonal’s Elly Brown sparked a brief flurry by the Maroonettes. Mariah Kilgore scored three straight service points, including an ace. The run was capped by a kill by Makayla Boothe through Murray’s block attempt.

The set ended 25-11, and Murray sailed in the clinching set after posting a 13-1 lead.

“We were able to let everyone see action tonight,” said Murray coach Jerry Shields. “Our serving was pretty good.”

Murray (3-0, 1-0 conference) travels to Melcher-Dallas Tuesday. Diagonal falls to 0-2 and 0-1.

Murray served 69-72 with 21 aces in three sets.

Murray statistics

Serving (aces) — Ashley Rider 25-25 (7), Megan Oswald 11-11 (3), Kate Patton 6-7 (4), Hannah Barber 6-7 (4).

Attacks (kills) — Cheyanne Ashby 9-13 (7), Kate Patton 5-5 (4), Megan Oswald 5-6 (3).

Setting (assists) — Patton 28-28 (12), Shelby Meyers 5-5 (2).

Digs — Hannah Barber 4, Taylor Gilbert 4.

Diagonal statistics

Serving (aces) — Mariah Kilgore 1.

Attacks (kills) — Elly Brown 3, Kate Holmes 2.

Setting (assists) — Kilgore 3.

Digs — Brown 11, Kaitlyn Klommhaus 7, Holmes 5.