Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Jacksonville State
Racers win 10th straight in OVC's battle of unbeatens, 3-0 over JSU
10/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State women's volleyball team set a new school record with its 10th straight win, but despite garnering its sixth straight shutout, MSU battled throughout the match in the 30-26, 30-26, 30-22 win in a battle between the only two unbeatens in Ohio Valley Conference play.
The win was MSU head coach David Schwepker's 50th OVC regular-season win as a coach at Murray State. Schwepker is 50-39 (.562) against the OVC during the regular season at Murray State.
The Racers (10-4, 5-0 OVC) trailed 7-2 in Game 1 before going on a 9-4 run to tie the game at 11-11. The teams then exchanged points with the Gamecocks (12-4, 3-1 OVC) winning a point, then MSU tying the game, until MSU was able to inch ahead 21-20. he teams again exchanged points to a 25-25 tie, but the Racers the next four points to push to the 30-26 win.
In Game 2, its was Murray State jumping out to a quick lead, but Jacksonville State was able to fight back to take a 16-12 lead. The Gamecocks pushed out to a 21-16 lead and led 23-20 before the Racers scored 10 of the last 13 points to win the game 30-26.
Both teams hit in the .400's in Game 2, with Murray State hitting .442 with only one error in 43 attacks, while Jacksonville State hit .400 with four errors in 40 attacks. Both teams had 20 kills apiece in the game.
In Game 3, neither team led by more than two points throughout most of the game, but with the game tied at 20-20 MSU scored 10 of the last 12 points to win the game 30-22 and clinch the match.
The win was Murray State's sixth straight OVC regular-season shutout, dating to last season. It was also the Racers' 10th straight OVC regular-season win, dating to last year. MSU has won 26 of its last 27 games.
The Racers were led by sophomore outside hitter Paige Sun, who got her 12th double-double of the season with a match-high 21 kills and a match-high 12 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Abbi Gui and freshman outside hitter Lilli Zhan added 13 kills apiece. Junior outside hitter Kimberly Bunnage added 10 digs for the MSU defense.
Sophomore setter Nikki Wo dished out a match-high 46 assists and had a team-high two aces, while Zhan had a co-match-high three blocks.
Jacksonville State was paced by 13 kills by Jessica Starck and 12 kills by Jennifer Benneman. Emily Withers had a team-high eight digs, while Christina Cary had a match-high three aces. Withers also had a team-high 25 assists, while Meredith Duke had 18. Suzi Terrell had a co-match-high three blocks for JSU.
"I am really, really glad that we got out with a win," Schwepker said. "Jacksonville State came in and played hard. They hit well; they did a good job of hitting. We couldn't stop their hitting. We hit well, too, though.
"It was a real slugfest. Both teams were blasting the ball. The defense was lacking -- neither team played solid defense -- but the hits were definitely there."
This was the sole meeting during the regular season for these teams through the staggered OVC schedule.
Murray State travels to Tennessee State for a Tuesday 7 pm. match. The next home match for the Racers in on Oct. 14 against regional rival Southern Illinois.
