Rachel Essner
Contributing Writer
The Murray State volleyball team traveled to Morehead State to take on the Eagles on Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14. The Eagles took the series with back-to-back sweeps against the Racers.
Game One
The Eagles triumphed against the Racers in the first game of the weekend, winning the first three sets 25-12, 25-19 and 25-12.
Freshman middle blocker Darci Metzger led the Racers with seven kills followed by freshman outside hitter Jayla Holcombe with six. Redshirt junior middle blocker Kolby McClelland and junior opposite hitter Emily Matson both finished with four kills a piece. Freshman outside hitter Taylor Beasley put down two kills while junior libero Becca Fernandez had one.
Senior setter Callie Anderton led the Racers in assists with a total of 19. Following Anderton was sophomore setter and outside hitter Alysha Smith with two, and Beasley and Fernandez with one assist each.
Leading the Racers in digs was Fernandez with a total of 19, followed by freshman libero Dahlia Miller with nine and McClelland with seven.
“It was probably one of the worst losses we have had in a long time,” said Head Coach David Schwepker. “We knew going in that Morehead State is one of the best teams in the league right now and they played really well.”
Game Two
The Racers took on the Eagles again Sunday, Feb. 14. Murray State lost in three sets (20-25, 20-25 and 16-25), bringing their record to 2-2 overall.
McClelland and Metzger tied with eight kills each to lead the Racers. Beasley also contributed seven kills and an additional three blocks.
Anderton led in assists with 17 while Smith trailed closely behind with 14. Fernandez tallied a total of 26 digs for the Racers over the weekend series.
Murray State took an early lead, pulling ahead 8-6 with kills from Beasley, McClelland and Metzger, a service ace from Miller and a block from McClelland and Beasley. However, the Eagles were able to take the lead at 15-10 and won after a 4-1 run to make the score 25-20.
Things were looking up for the Racers as Holcombe put down two kills to help her team jump to an early lead in the second set. After the Eagles pulled ahead, the Racers went on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 12. The teams went back and forth before the Eagles pulled through and won 25-20.
The Racers started the third set with a 3-1 with a kill from Matson and a service ace from Fernandez. The Eagles tied the game at six, but they went on a 7-0 run to make the score 21-12 and finished out the game at 25-16 to take the series.
The Racers will travel to SIU-Edwardsville to take on the Cougars at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, and Monday, Feb. 22.