Rachel Essner
Staff Writer
[email protected]

The Murray State volleyball team split two games at the Dunn Hospitality Tournament in Edwardsville, Indiana, on Friday, Sept. 17 and Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing their record to 6-4. 

Game One

The Racers swept the game against Cleveland State University to begin the two-game tournament on Friday. 

With senior libero Becca Fernandez stepping up to serve first, the Racers jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first set with a kill from junior outside hitter Alysha Smith. A kill from senior middle blocker Kolby McClelland and two kills from both sophomore outside hitter Morgan Price and freshman outside hitter Alexa Harris helped the Racers extend their lead to 14-6. In an attempt to fight back, the Vikings scored four straight points, but still trailed the Racers 14-10. With a 5-0 run, Murray State took a nine point lead at 22-13. A block from freshman setter Bailey DeMier sealed the set for the Racers at 25-15. 

Murray State took another early lead at 14-8 in the second set with kills from Harris, Price, freshman outside hitter Brooke Lynn Watts and sophomore middle blocker Darci Metzger. The teams traded points until the Racers took a 4-1 run to close the set out at 25-17.

The teams traded points in the beginning of the third set, but a 6-2 run gave the Racers an 19-13 lead with three kills from Watts. The Racers used a 6-2 run, ending with a kill from Price to take the set 25-16.

Harris and Watts led the offense with 12 kills apiece, followed by Price with a career-high of seven kills. 

On the defensive side, Fernandez recorded 11 digs while Harris collected nine. DeMier tallied 28 assists and Price added two blocks. 

Game Two

The Racers dropped the second game to Evansville University in three straight sets on Saturday. 

The Aces used a 5-1 run to take an early 7-4 lead in the first set. After tying the score at seven, the Racers were never able to take the lead over the Aces. Evansville built their lead to 19-13 and with a 5-2 run, ultimately took the set at 25-17. 

The second set was a battle between the teams, beginning with trading points until tying the score at 14. Murray State was able to reach game point at 24-22, but the Aces were able to take the lead at 25-24. The teams continued fighting, going back-and-forth until Evansville scored back-to-back points to take the set 33-31. 

Evansville took a quick 13-8 lead in the third set. The Racers were able to come within two points of the Aces at 14-12, but a 6-0 run put the Aces at 23-15. A kill and a block from the Aces sealed the set 25-17, and the match 3-0. 

Harris led the Racer’s offense with a season-high of 16 kills, followed by Watts with 15 kills. On the other side, Fernandez led the defense with 13 digs while sophomore defensive specialist Dahlia Miller counted 10 digs and DeMier tallied 32 assists. 

Fernandez and Harris were both named to the All-Tournament team. In addition, Harris was named OVC Newcomer of the Week, her first OVC honor. 

The Racers will hit their home court for the first time this season to open conference play in a two-game series against Eastern Illinois University on Friday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m.