Rachel Essner
Staff Writer
The Murray State volleyball team will return to the Racer Arena on Sunday, March 14, and Monday, March 15, to take on Eastern Illinois University.
Murray State is currently sitting at a 4-6 overall record while Eastern Illinois holds a 1-9 overall record this season. In the 2019 season, the Racers finished at 19-11 overall, and the Panthers finished at a 3-26 record.
In Murray State’s last encounter with Eastern Illinois on Sept. 27, 2019, the Racers swept the Panthers in three sets, winning 25-16, 25-23 and 25-15. The Racers have triumphed in the last nine matches against Eastern Illinois.
Murray State’s freshman opposite hitter Jayla Holcombe and junior libero Becca Fernandez received OVC awards on March 3. Holcombe was named Co-Offensive and Co-Newcomer Player of the Week, while Fernandez was named Defensive Player of the Week for her third consecutive week. Holcombe is averaging a .230 hitting percentage with 126 total kills for the season. Meanwhile, Fernandez has counted a total of 190 digs this season.
Murray State and Eastern Illinois have played four common opponents so far this season. In Murray State’s season opener, the Racers won the two-game series against Tennessee State. Eastern Illinois split the series with Tennessee State in their most recent match. Both the Racers and the Panthers lost the two games against Morehead State and Austin Peay, but Murray State triumphed against UT Martin while Eastern Illinois lost both games.
“We are just going to work on making ourselves better,” said Head Coach David Schwepker. “All we do is always work on us and if we get better and continue improving then hopefully we can beat them.”
The Racers will return home to play the Panthers on Sunday, March 14, at 6 p.m., and Monday, March 15 at 4 p.m.