Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Racers Earn Key Sweep of EKU on Parents Night
11/12/2010 10:13:53 PM | Women's Volleyball
MSU was led by senior Ashley Nenninger, who tallied 12 kills and a .370 (12k-2e-27ta) hitting percentage. Sophomore Cassy Woolverton added 11 kills and three blocks for the Racers. Defensively, junior Kayleah Sauer led the team with 21 digs.
The Racers took control of set one early, with a 3-0 run after the Colonels (11-16, 9-8 OVC) earned the first point of the match. MSU continued to add to its lead throughout the first half of the set, recording at least two points on every side out, while holding EKU to just one point at a time. The Racers built their lead to as many at 10 points (21-11) and earned the first-set win 25-15.
MSU opened the second set with a 3-0 run and then EKU started a come-back and pulled within one (5-4), with a 2-0 run of its own. The teams continued to battle for control of the scoreboard with short runs, until the Colonels tied the set at 15, with a 4-0 run. EKU continued to keep the pressure up and took an 18-20 lead, with a 3-5 run. However, the Racers were not done fighting and went on a 4-0 run that gave them the advantage back for good in the set. MSU continued to keep the momentum on their side and earned a 25-21 win to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
The third set was a tug-of-war for control for the first eight points, before the Racers went on an 8-0 run that gave them control for good. The run put MSU up 11-4 and until the end of the set the Racers did not allow the Colonels to garner more than one point at a time. MSU was up 24-10 and looking at match point, but EKU was not done fighting and held off the Racers for five more serves before MSU earned the sweep with a 25-15 victory.
The Racers had a strong offensive performance on the night, with a .288 (45k-11e-118ta) hitting percentage. MSU was also strong defensively, holding EKU to a .134 (35k-17e-134ta) attack percentage, recording eight blocks and 70 digs.
The Racers will end the regular season at home, Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. when 2010 OVC Regular-Season Champions, Morehead State, come to town. The match is the annual Senior Day, with MSU's three seniors (Sara Hayden, Ashley Nenninger and Becca Lamb) being honored before the start of the match.
Notes: Senior Ashley Nenninger is now 21 kills from joining the 1,000 Kill Club at MSU, while fellow senior Sara Hayden is 39 from the same accomplishment…this was the sixth sweep for the Racers this season and the first since Oct. 22 against Tennessee State.
