Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Jacksonville State
Volleyball Falls At Jacksonville State
10/19/2007 5:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The battle for sole possession of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference between Murray State and Jacksonville State was just that, but the homestanding Gamecocks were able to keep the Racers at arm's length to win the match, 30-27, 30-28, 30-18.
In Game 1, the teams fought a close battle, with Murray State (12-10, 9-3 OVC) taking a 19-17 lead before Jacksonville State (13-6, 10-2 OVC) fought back to take a 23-21 lead en route to the 30-27 win. Junior outside hitter Alyssa Groves led the Racers with five kills in the game, hitting .333 with only one error in 12 attacks.
In the second game, another tight battle ensued, featuring 20 ties. Neither team had more than a two-point lead throughout the game. The Racers tied the game 28-28, but the Gamecocks were able to score the last two points to win the game 30-28. Groves again led the Racer offense with four kills, hitting .333 with no errors in 12 attacks. JSU jumped out to a 10-3 lead in Game 3 and never looked back, winning the game 30-18.
Murray State was led by Groves, who had 12 kills, while junior outside hitter Alison Mugler had nine. Senior middle hitter Tara DeMage had 11 digs, while freshman middle hitter Sara Hayden had nine. Sophomore setter Cassie Chesney handed out 36 assists for the Racers.
Jacksonville State was led by Abbey Breit's 17 kills, with an attack percentage of .300, with five errors in 40 attacks. Rebekah Nichols added 12 kills, hitting .526 with two errors in 19 attacks, while Caitlin Vorbeck had 11 kills, hitting .389 with four errors in 18 attacks. Breit had 17 digs, while Abbey Vierling had 15 and Brittney Whitten had 13. Breit had five blocks for the Gamecocks, while Joi Watts had three. Brooke Schumacher handed out 49 assists for JSU.
Murray State concludes its Alabama trip with a match at Samford on Saturday at 6 p.m.
