Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Lipscomb
Volleyball Streak Snapped At Lipscomb
10/9/2007 5:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State volleyball team saw its seven-match win streak come to halt in a tightly-contested 3-2 loss at Lipscomb. Game scores were 30-18, 24-30, 30-22, 21-20, 15-10. The match was the first-ever volleyball meeting for the two schools.
In the first game, Lipscomb (10-9) jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead and never allowed Murray State the lead. With the game tied at 11-11, the Lady Bisons ran off eight straight points, vaulting out to a 19-11 lead en route to the 30-18 win.
The second game was more of a battle, with 11 ties and five lead changes. With the game tied at 16-16, the Racers (10-9) scored four straight points behind the serving of junior libero Heather Norris, jumping out to a 20-16 lead. Lipscomb was able to pull back to within 25-23, but four points behind the service of sophomore setter Cassie Chesney brought MSU to game point. Murray State won the game 30-24.
In Game 3, nine ties and four lead changes highlighted the action. With the game tied at 16-16, the Lady Bisons ran off seven straight points to take a 23-16 lead en route to the 30-21 win. Murray State controlled Game 4, as the game was tied three times, but Lipscomb was never able to take the lead. Leading 27-21, the Racers closed out the game on three straight points behind the service of senior defensive specialist Ashley Meagher to take the game 30-21 and tie the match at two games apiece.
Game 5 was a close battle. Murray State got out to an 8-5 lead behind Meagher's serving, but the Lady Bisons ran off six straight points to jump ahead of the Racers, 11-8. MSU got the score to within 13-10, but Lipscomb scored the final two points of the match for the win.
"Lipscomb just out-played us and did a great job," said MSU head coach David Schwepker. "They were a really good blocking team. They aren't much taller than we are, but they had really great blockers tonight."
Murray State was led by senior middle hitter Tara DeMage, who had 18 kills and hit .278, with onlly three errors in 54 attacks. Freshman middle hitter Sara Hayden had 14 kills and hit .333, with only two errors in 36 attacks. Chesney handed out 50 assists for the Racers.
On defense, Norris repelled a team season-high 34 digs. Chesney and junior outside hitter Alison Mugler had 18 digs apiece, while DeMage had 13. DeMage and freshman outside hitter Becca Lamb each had a team-high three blocks for MSU.
For Lipscomb, Sarah Snider had a match-high 27 kills. Alex Kelly had 18, Jessica Enderle had 17 and Alex Scruggs had 10. Stefine Pease handed out 62 assists for the Lady Bisons.
On defense, Snider had 24 digs, while Grace Gilmore had 20. Kelly had seven blocks, while Scruggs and Katie Bradley had three apiece.
Murray State (7-2 OVC) hopes to continue its seven-match Ohio Valley Conference win streak when the Racers host Morehead State (13-7, 7-2 OVC) on Friday at 7 p.m. in Racer Arena.
