Following the recently ended losing streak, the Racers were defeated by the University of Illinois Chicago and Valparaiso in tough matches on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19.
Match 1 vs University of Illinois Chicago
The Racers fell short in five sets against UIC at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 despite rallying in the second half of the match.
Even though the Racers were able to keep the score close for the majority of both sets, UIC’s dominant offensive effort led to the Flames outsourcing the Racers 25-15 in the first and 25-19 in the second.
In the third set, however, the Racers took an early lead. UIC responded to the Racers’ advancements and tied the set. Although they were able to stay close behind, the Racers took the third set 25-22.
The lead was tossed back and forth in the fourth set. The Racers managed to maintain their lead and while UIC almost took it back at the end, the Racers held their own and won 25-23, tying the match.
The final set began with UIC taking, but not holding onto, an early lead. The Racers caught up and took the lead with kills from junior outside hitter Alexa Watts and senior outside hitter Nuccio Federica, as well as attack errors from the opposing team. The lead was short lived, as UIC responded immediately from their own kills. The game remained close until the end where UIC was able to solidify the set 19-17.
The team tied 35 times throughout the game, and the lead changed 18 times. Watts had a season-high 14 kills with 15 points and despite her short time on the team this season, she has earned 62.5 points in 12 games. Senior outside hitter Ella Vogel led the game with 17 kills of her own while junior outside hitter Lily Burnett earned 10.
Match 2 vs Valparaiso
The Racers struggled to keep up against the No. 2 team in the Missouri Valley Conference at 5 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Murray State took an early advantage in the first set and kept a large lead for the first half of the set. As the match progressed, Valparaiso was able to slowly creep back into the game but fell short near the end, and the Racers took the first set 25-22.
Valparaiso took a comfortable lead to start the second set. As the lead grew, the Racers had no way of coming back and the set concluded with a score of 25-17.
Valparaiso took another early lead in the third set, but Murray State answered soon after and tied the score. After back and forth from both teams, Valparaiso strayed off with the lead and continued to score after gaining on the Racers, finishing the third set 25-19.
The score tied nine times throughout the final set and for the first time all match, there were multiple lead changes within the set. The Racers’ errors cost them the game as they stacked up near the end. Valparaiso took the fourth set 25-22 and the game 3-1.
Burnett had a season high 15 kill game, while Vogel and senior middle blocker Haidi Miliou both had nine kills. The Racers are now 1-7 in the conference, placing them in last out of the qualifying teams.
The Racers’ next game is at 6 p.m Friday, Oct. 24 against Bradley University at Renaissance Coliseum.
