Story by Kelsey Randolph, Sports Editor
For the second year in a row the Racer volleyball team won the OVC regular season title becoming the seventh school in OVC history to do so.
After clinching a share of the title with a win over Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 7 and pushing the program’s home win-steak to 18 matches, the Racers had bigger goals in site.
The Racers, 14-1 in the OVC and 24-2 overall, took on their last away game against Austin Peay State, 3-12 in the OVC and 9-22 overall, where they swept the Governors, 25-19, 25-14 and 25-19.
Leading the team with 13 kills was senior middle blocker Alyssa Lelm and redshirt junior right side Kristen Besselsen adding 11. Senior setter Sam Bedard had her 18th double-double of the season adding 30 assists and 15 digs which was five behind junior libero Ellie Lorenz who added 20 digs.
The Governors added 18 assists by senior setter Aubrey Marsellis and 19 digs by senior libero April Adams.
Next for the Racers is their final home game of the regular season. During the game, they will honor seniors Bedard, Lelm, outside hitter and defensive specialist, Taylor Olden, outside hitter and right side Audrey Lewis and outside hitter Emily Schmahl.
Bedard is from Breese, Illinois and in 2013 played in all 30 matches and started in 29. Olden is from Lincoln, Illinois and in 2013 also started and played in all 30 matches. Schmahl is from Edgewood, Kentucky and in 2013 played in 23 matches and in 2014 played in 21 matches.
Lewis came to Murray State from Columbus, Indiana and transferred from Tennessee Tech. Lelm is from Mackinaw, Illinois and is one of two Racers to appear in all 32 matches last season and is the only one to start in all matches.
If the Racers win against Morehead State on Saturday at 11 a.m. they will extend their home win streak to 19.
The Racers will host the OVC Tournament on Nov. 19-21 in Racer Arena. Last year the Racers played Belmont in the final game of the OVC Tournament and beat them in a 3-set sweep.
After winning the regular season and championship title the Racers went on to play Illinois State in the NCAA tournament losing in a 3-0 win by the Illini.
