Murray State University Athletics
Racers Drop Opener in NCCU Tournament
8/30/2013 9:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Despite a pair of close sets, Murray State fell in their season opener 3-0 (24-26, 22-25, 15-25) against Evansville Friday night at the North Carolina Central Invitational. Emily Schmahl led the Racers with 12 kills while Taylor Olden fell one kill shy of a double-double, adding nine to go with her team-leading 24 digs.Â
Evansville jumped out to a 16-9 lead early in the first set, helped out by eight MSU attack errors. The Racers roared back into the contest, scoring eight of the next nine points to take their first lead of the set 18-17. Four different Racers recorded a kill on the run, including two from Schmahl.
The two squads traded points, with neither gaining more than a two point advantage. The Racers had a chance to take the opening set up 24-23 with the serve, but the Purple Aces scored the next three points to earn a 26-24 victory.
The second set was much of the same as the first as the Racers and Purple Aces were deadlocked at 16 midway through. In a back-and-forth set that was tied on five separate occasions, three straight Evansville points put the Purple Aces up 19-16. MSU tried to climb back on the strength of two consecutive Sam Bedard kills, but would get no closer. The Purple Aces closed the set on a 6-3 run to take a 2-0 match lead.  Â
A quick start put the Purple Aces up four early in the third set, 7-3 and the Racers were never able to rebound as Evansville cruised to a 25-15 victory and 3-0 match sweep.Â
Rachel TenHoor put away seven kills in the final set for the Purple Aces, on her way to a match-high 13.
Following the loss, Coach Schwepker said he was pleased with his team's performance: "We were right there in the first two sets. Those could have gone either way. I saw a lot of good things. There's a lot to take away from this game. We played very solid defense and our offense is getting better".
Bedard finished three kills away from a triple-double as she filled out the box score with a team leading 28 assists along with 10 digs and seven kills.
Alyssa Lelm and Scottie Ingram each chipped in six kills.
Evansville held the advantage in attack percentage, .270-to-.115. They also committed 14 less attack errors than the Racers, including only one in the second set to go along with 17 kills.Â
The Racers continue their opening weekend tournament tomorrow afternoon taking on a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents in Hampton and tournament host North Carolina Central. Â First serve is set for 2:30 and 4:30 respectively. Â
