Volleyball Downs SIU Edwardsville

Friday, October 12

Racer Arena

7:00 p.m.

Murray State

4-13, 2-5OVC

SIU Edwardsville

7-11, 3-4OVC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
SIU Edwardsville	15	10	25	23	1
Murray St.	25	25	17	25	3

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

10/12/2012 9:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

The Murray State volleyball team snapped a six-match losing streak on Friday night at Racer Arena by taking down SIU Edwardsville, 3-1.

In the first set, the Racers (4-13, 2-5 OVC) came out firing on all cylinders and opened the set on a 9-3 run. While the Cougars made several attempts to pull even, Murray State stayed the course and was able to keep SIUE at bay each time. The Racers closed out the set on a 7-3 run to take the opening frame, 25-15. Freshmen Taylor Olden (Lincoln, Ill.), Alyssa Lelm (Mackinaw, Ill.) and Kristen Besselsen (St. Louis, Mo.) led the Racers in the set with three kills each.

In the second set, it was all Murray State. The Racers opened the set on a 17-5 run and never looked back, eventually taking the set, 25-10. The Cougars (7-11, 3-4 OVC) turned in a -.100 attack percentage in the set, while the Racers hit .545 and committed just two errors. Freshman Emily Schmahl (Edgewood, Ky.) led MSU with a set-high four kills, while freshman Sam Bedard (Breese, Ill.) chipped in with 12 assists.

The third set saw SIUE stave off defeat, by taking the frame, 25-17. The Racers led 9-7 early in the stanza, but allowed the Cougars to go on a 10-3 run and take away any momentum. Murray State attempted a rally late in the set, but eventually fell for the first time in the match. Olden once again led her team in the set by tallying four kills, while freshman Jodie Klein (Louisville, Ky.) paced the defense with five digs.

The fourth set was fast and furious, as the two teams traded points back and forth. In the latter part of the frame, the Cougars charged forward and took a 19-14 lead. However, the Racers would not go quietly. Olden helped power the Racers down the stretch with three kills in the final four points to give MSU the exciting 25-23 set win and 3-1 match win.

Olden and Bedard both finished the match with double-doubles, as Olden had 16 kills and 10 digs, while Bedard had 40 assists and 16 digs. The double-double was the second of the season for Olden and the third for Bedard, a team-high. Lelm also had a big night with six blocks, while Schmahl had 14 kills.

The Racers will return to Racer Arena on Saturday to kick-off the homecoming festivities. Murray State will host Eastern Illinois in a crucial OVC match-up, scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.