Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Volleyball Gets Past SEMO 3-2
10/13/2006 5:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State women's volleyball team was able to get past visiting Southeast Missouri State tonight, beating the Redhawks 3-2 tonight in Racer Arena. Game scores were 30-20, 28-30, 30-18, 27-30, 15-9.
Both teams showed a firm resolve throughout the match, and both defenses were able to chase down several hard-hit balls and the offenses found ways to score in tough situations.
No game demonstrated both teams' resolve more than Game 4. SEMO (10-11, 4-3 OVC) jumped out to a 10-4 lead, but Murray State brought it back and tied it at 10-10. The Redhawks pushed out to a 17-11 advantage, but the Racers (14-3, 6-1 OVC) again brought the game back to a tie at 18-18. Southeast Missouri State got out to a 25-22 lead before MSU tied it at 25-25. SEMO was able to score five of the last seven points of the game to win it 30-27.
In Game 5, Murray State jumped out to a 5-0 lead behind the serving of sophomore libero Heather Norris and was able to keep the Redhawks at bay for the rest of the game.
"SEMO is a good team," said MSU head coach David Schwepker, who swept the series against his alma mater for the first season in his 12-year career, marking the Racers' first sweep of the Redhawks since 1997. "Both teams came out playing well; we were evenly matched. It wasn't going to be easy -- we knew that -- and when you have a match like that, it's going to go five games.
"I think both teams were able to make good things happen at crucial times. We got the big lead in Game 5; that was key. The fifth game is so short (15 points, compared to the other games' 30-point format) that if you get a quick lead, you're probably going to win that game and the match."
Murray State was led by senior middle blocker Katie Kemezys, who had a career-high 28 kills and hit .393, her best career outing with more than 50 attacks. Kemezys also rejected a team-high four blocks, with a match-high three solo blocks.
Senior middle blocker Holly Jansen added 20 kills and hit a match-high .395, her best career outing with more than 40 attacks. Jansen also had three blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Alison Mugler had 15 kills and 20 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Groves had 14 kills, two aces and 12 digs and junior outside hitter Tara DeMage had 10 kills, 27 digs, two aces and three blocks. Norris repelled a match-high 36 digs, her fourth entry into the "30-Dig Club," while freshman setter Cassie Chesney handed out a season-high-tying 73 assists and had 20 digs. Senior outside hitter Allie Hunt served up a co-match-high two aces for the Racers.
Southeast Missouri State was paced by Jessica Koeper, who had 21 kills, hit .345 and had 21 digs. Brittany Hastings added 16 kills, while Brenna Schlader and Hannah Weis had 14 kills each. Schlader had a match-high five blocks, while Jamie Baumstark had four to go with 64 assists.
Murray State concludes this four-match homestand tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. against OVC rival Eastern Illinois. The match will be played in Racer Arena, and admission is free.
