TOURNAMENT CENTRAL PAGE

BELTON, TX (11.08.14) - The UT Dallas volleyball team battled its way back to the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament title match, but could not get past top-seeded tournament host Mary Hardin-Baylor, falling 3-1, in the championship match.

UTD (22-11) forced its way back to its fifth ASC championship game in program history with a win over East Texas Baptist earlier in the day, but could not get past the Cru (25-5), who claimed their first ASC volleyball title since 1998 with the win. Much like the five-set loss to UMHB Friday night, the Saturday championship game was tight throughout, but UMHB prevailed in four sets, 25-23, 26-24, 23-25 and 25-20.

UTD would have had to defeat the Cru in two straight matches Saturday afternoon to win the double-elimination tournament.

The Comets had four players finish in double-figure kills, but could not stop UMHB's Kendall Pye, who put down 22 kills in the match and was named the tournament MVP. Senior Taylour Toso, potentially playing her final match at UTD, had 10 kills. Michelle Toro and Meredith Crawford both had 13 kills to lead the Comets while Handley and Meredith Crawford each picked up 22 digs in a well-played defensive match. Crawford had 12 kills.

Toso and setter Kayla Jordan were named to the ASC All-Tournament Team.

The tide started turning against the Comets in the first set of the championship match after they let an 18-10 lead slip away. UMHB went on an 11-3 run to eventually tie the score at 21-21 and pulled out the 25-23 win.

UTD again kept things tight in the second set and tied the score up at 24-24 before the Cru scored the final two points in a 26-24 victory to take a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, the lead went back-and-forth numerous times before UTD scored the final two points after a 23-23 tie.

The final set was even closer, but UMHB opened up some space midway through, taking a 20-15 lead. The Comets battled back, but could not catch up to the Cru, who claimed the match and the crown with a 25-20 win.

The Comets have an outside chance at receiving an NCAA national tournament bid, but will have to wait until Monday's national field is announced to find out.