Murray State
UT Martin
Racers open OVC with home shutout over defending champion Tenn.-Martin
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State women's volleyball team opened its home and Ohio Valley Conference schedule with a 3-0 blanking of defending OVC champion Tennessee-Martin, 30-24, 30-28, 30-28.
The Racers (3-4, 1-0 OVC) controlled much of the match, but the Skyhawks (1-11, 0-1 OVC) kept fighting back, forcing MSU to battle to each game win.
"From my standpoint, it seemed like we were in control for most of the match," said MSU head coach David Schwepker, "and I think the team felt like they were in control. Tennessee-Martin played really, really well. They had some injuries coming in, but they really played hard. It's kind of like I thought it would be; UT-Martin just would not give up."
Sophomore middle blocker Abbi Gui led the Murray State offense with a co-match-high 16 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Paige Sun and freshman outside hitter Lilli Zhan each had 13 kills for the Racers.
On defense, Sun had a co-match-high 14 digs, while junior outside hitter Kimberly Bunnage had 13 and junior defensive specialist Casandra Ersel had 12. Junior middle blocker Danielle Sutterer had a match-high five blocks, while Gui and Zhan had two apiece. Sophomore setter Nikki Wong handed out a match-high 39 assists.
Tennessee-Martin was paced by 16 kills from Leigh Reiniche, while Heather Kea added 11. Reiniche also had 14 digs, while Maribeth Hanneman had 10, and Mandy Krol had a team-high three blocks, while Kea had two. Jamie Fitzwater served up a match-high two aces, while Hanneman dished out 36 assists.
"We still have some non-connection between our hitters and our setter that we need to work out," Schwepker said. "We also need to work on speeding things up. We are running a fast offense now, but not near as fast as I want it to be by the end of the season.
"I'm really glad to get this win. It's good to get the first conference win under your belt."
Murray State takes some time away from its conference schedule to take part in the Middle Tennessee State Invitational this weekend. The Racers will face Western Illinois on Friday at 4:30 p.m., then will take on Appalachian State on Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by a match-up with host team Middle Tennessee State Saturday night at 7 p.m.
