After going 0-3 in their first weekend in Lafayette, Louisiana, Murray State Volleyball looked to turn it around at the Elon Phoenix Classic in Elon, North Carolina.
Game 1 vs NC Central
The Racers faced a tough task early as they went down 0-2 in sets against the Eagles of North Carolina Central. The teams battled in the first set, being tied at 17 before the Eagles caught fire and won the set 25-19. The Eagles junior outside hitter Emmie Modlin had six kills in the set but the biggest story of the set were the nine attack errors committed by Murray State. Bailey DeMier had nine assists for the Racers, which led to kills from Ella Vogel, Darci Metzger, Morgan McClure and Haidi Miliou.
Set two started much better for the Racers as they got out to a fast 5-1 set lead. They were never really able to pull away as NCCU kept putting pressure on Murray State, eventually drawing even with them at 10-10. More errors by the Racers and three aces by the Eagles saw them go up 19-15, forcing Murray State to call a timeout. It was all in vain though, as the Racers would drop the set 25-21. Metzger had five kills in the set for Murray State. Juniors Kamren Harper and Makenzi Searcy left their stamp on the set for the Eagles with four kills each.
The third set was all Murray State as they won 25-14 to get some momentum heading into the fourth. DeMier had two kills and 10 assists while Metzger led the set with five kills. NCCU would commit nine attack errors as they could never get it rolling in the set.
Eleven ties and seven lead changes told most of the story of set four as Murray State looked to even up the match at 2-2. The set was a battle until the Racers broke away after the 17-17 tie. Four of the last eight points scored by Murray State came off of kills by Metzger. The Racers would win the set 25-19.
Locked at 2-2 for the match, set five would prove decisive for either team. Ella Vogel’s four kills led the Racers to a 15-11 set win and 3-2 match win, finishing off the reverse sweep. Darci Metzger led the game in kills (20) and digs (21). Bailey DeMier led the Racers in assists with 47.
Game 2 vs Elon
Murray State got their second win of the day in a 3-0 set sweep against the hosts of the event, the Elon Phoenix.
The first set saw both teams go on a scoring stretch to start the match. Elon would take a 4-1 set lead before the Racers scored five straight to go up 7-4. It was back and for the rest of the set, with Murray State finally making a breakthrough and winning the set 25-19. The Racers were led by Ella Vogel and her six kills to take a 1-0 match lead.
Set two was a scrap which saw both teams tied at 18 before the Racers took a 24-21 lead. That didn’t stop Elon from competing as they charged all the way back to tie the set at 26. Murray State scored back-to-back points, finished off by a Darci Metzger kill to take set two in dramatic fashion by a final of 28-26.
Set three was dominated by Murray State. They won the set 25-12 to win the match in a convincing 3-0 style. The Racers had 4 service aces in the set, as well as kills from Metzger, Vogel, Miliou and Burnett to finish the day 2-0. Vogel led the team in kills and blocks for the game. Dahlia Miller led the game in digs with 14.
Game 3 vs UNC Greensboro
The third and final game Murray State played in the Elon Phoenix Classic was against the UNC Greensboro Spartans.
The Racers were able to fight in set one, but couldn’t see it through. The Spartans would win 25-21 behind freshman outside hitter Allie Sweet’s six kills. Darci Metzger finished the set with seven kills.
Down 1-0, Murray State responded very well in set two. They won the set 25-15 behind three kills from both Ella Vogel and Federica Nuccio. Morgan McClure finished the set with two kills.
The Racers would pick up where they left off in set three, winning 25-17 and never giving UNCG a real chance to come back in the set. Metzger and Nuccio had five kills a piece in the set to go along with 4 service aces for Murray State.
Set three was dominated again by Murray State, seeing them put up 19 points before UNCG could score 10. They would win the set 25-13 and win the match 3-1 to cap off their perfect weekend. Federica Nuccio led the match in kills (19) and aces (4). She would also finish second in digs with 14.
A successful weekend for volleyball brings their overall record to 3-3 on the young season. Ella Vogel was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after recording double-digit kills in each match. Federica Nuccio and Bailey DeMier were also named to the All-Tournament team.
Head coach David Schwepker said he was super proud of his players for receiving the honor, saying “they truly exemplify what it means to be a part of this team.”
“Their performance on the court this weekend was nothing short of outstanding, and they have set a high standard for us all.”
The Racers will play in the SIUE Tournament in Edwardsville, Illinois starting on Friday, Sept. 13.
