The Racers have struggled so far in their first year in the MVC as they face unfamiliar opponents. These struggles continued as the Murray State volleyball team lost two conference games over the weekend, both by a score of 3-0.

These losses place the Racers 6-11 on the season and 2-5 in the conference. The Racers are currently ninth in the MVC.

The Racers hosted the Valparaiso University Beacons on Friday, Oct. 7 and the University of Illinois Chicago Flames on Saturday, Oct. 8.

vs. Valparaiso

The Racers had a 9-7 lead early on in the first set, but the Beacons put together a five-point rally to gain a 12-9 lead. The Beacons continued to apply pressure as they completed a six-point rally shortly after to give themselves a 20-12 lead.

Valparaiso would go on to take the first set by a score of 25-16.

Down 10-8, Murray State got rolling thanks to a kill by freshman outside hitter Federica Nuccio. Junior outside hitter Jayla Holcombe continued the rally with another kill. 

Sophomore setter Bailey DeMier then earned a service ace, and the rally was completed after a Valparaiso attack error. This gave the Racers a 12-10 lead.

The Racers held the lead 20-17 before the Beacons went on a five-point rally, giving them the lead and ultimately the second set 25-22.

Valparaiso started off hot in the third set, going on a five-point rally. Murray State attempted to gain control, but the Beacons’ hot start was too much, and the third set went to Valparaiso 25-11. 

The Beacons won the matchup by a score of 3-0.

Holcombe finished with eight kills as DeMier totaled two aces, 17 assists and 14 digs. Junior libero Dahlia Miller had 16 digs and five assists. Freshman outside hitter Ella Vogel had seven kills and a block, and Nuccio finished with four kills, two assists and nine digs.

vs. UIC

The University of Illinois Chicago Flames were up 16-12 in the first set before the team committed three attack errors. A service ace by Murray State freshman outside hitter Julia Fullop tied the game up at 16 apiece.

A five-point Flames rally helped UIC to go on and win the first set by a score of 25-18.

The second set was tied at 8 apiece before the Flames went on a nine-point rally to give them a cushioned lead.

The Racers were not done though, as they went on a rally of their own. It was initiated by a pair of kills by Vogel. DeMier then earned a service ace, and Holcombe followed with another pair of kills. 

DeMier earned another service ace, and Holcombe followed up with a kill. UIC committed an attack error to conclude the eight-point Murray State rally. Despite the Racers’ rally, the Flames still had a 19-18 lead.

UIC would go on to win the second set by a score of 25-21.

Murray State earned 3 free points after UIC committed three errors in a row to give the Racers a 3-0 lead to start the third set. After the errors, the Flames went on a four-point run to gain a 4-3 lead.

The Racers were able to tie things up at four apiece, but the Flames went on a three-point rally to regain control. 

UIC did not let Murray State get back within striking distance, and it won the third and final set 25-19, winning the matchup 3-0.

Vogel finished with 10 kills as DeMier had 16 assists, three aces and two blocks. Nuccio totaled seven digs and five kills. 

The Racers will travel to Springfield, Missouri to take on the Bears of Missouri State at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14.

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