The Racer volleyball team is not letting a weekend loss at Valparaiso hold it back as it begins conference season.

Head Coach David Schwepker said he learned a lot last weekend about how his girls play together and what needs to be done to come back on top.

“This teaches us a lot about ourselves,” Schwepker said. “I believe we were over-confident and because we started winning, we let it go to our heads. It’s like we forgot what it was that got us winning in the first place.”

Murray State lost a pair of matches Saturday to George Washington 1-3 and Sacramento State 1-3.

During game one against George Washington, the Racers played four tight sets. The first set was 11-11 then Murray State scored six more points and took the lead, 17-11. Murray State kept the lead all the way and took the first set with a score of 25-18.

The second set started with George Washington leading 7-3 and ended at 25-15 not in favor of Murray State. The third set was also close with George Washington taking the set 25-20.

“I think we went through a slow phase and now we’re over it,” said junior setter Sam Bedard. “Now it’s on to have a successful conference season. We just need to regroup ourselves. We won’t let what happened last weekend affect the rest of our season.”

Redshirt sophomore Kristen Besselsen led the team with 13 kills, followed by junior middle blocker Alyssa Lelm, who added eight. Bedard came out with 36 assists and nine digs. Sophomore Ellie Lorenz had a team-high of 12 digs and was also named to the All-Tournament team.

The second game against Sacramento State started with Murray State coming out on top 8-4 and ended at 25-16 in favor of the Racers. Sacramento State came back in the second set and led the Racers 14-6 after earning eight straight points. Sacramento State held Murray State to only 10 points and took the second set at 25-10.

The third set began with the Racers having an advantage but Sacramento State regained the lead and won the set, 25-30. The fourth set ended 25-23, Sacramento State beating the Racers. Lorenz had a dig high of 25, with Bedard coming in with 24 assists and sophomore Scottie Ingram, adding 10 kills.

“I really think the girls are doing well,” Schwepker said. “Every time there will be glitches, I think this is a good team and girls will be girls but they will always work out their glitches.”

The Racers play at home this weekend starting tonight at 7 p.m. against Southeast Missouri and tomorrow at 2 p.m. against UT Martin. This will begin their OVC play.

Story by Kelsey Randolph, Staff writer