Racers Take Two Wins At The ISTAP Tournament

Friday, August 29

Montgomery, Ala.

12:30 p.m.

Murray State

1-0

Southern U.

0-1

Southern

Murray State

8/29/2014 9:10:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Murray State volleyball opened their season by winning a pair of matches against Southern University and South Carolina State. The Racers won the battle with South Carolina State 3-0, (25-7, 25-11, 25-21), after picking up their first win of the season 3-0 over Southern University (25-8, 26-24, 25-13)

Game Two vs. South Carolina State (3-0 – 25-7, 25-11, 25-21)

MSU finished the first day with a win against South Carolina State.The Racers took a quick 2-0 lead beating the bulldogs 25-7, then 25-11.

In the first set, the Racers never gave up the lead. After going down 5-4 in the second set, MSU came back and led for the rest of the set.

The third set was close as both teams battled for the win. Murray State had a 10-4 advantage before the bulldogs cut the gap to 13-9. The bulldogs took the lead 20-21 before the Racers took the next five points to win, 25-21.

Sam Bedard led the Racers with 25 assists. Kristen Besselsen helped the Racers with 12 kills, followed by Emily Schmahl with 10.
Ellie Lorenz added eight digs with Scottie Ingram adding six.

Head coach David Schwepker said, "We needed to come in and get two wins. We had to get the nerves and jitters out."

"Tomorrows match will be the toughest, but I think the girls want to play and see how they do against the competition."

Game One vs. Southern University (3-0 - 25-8, 26-24, 25-13)

MSU started their day taking on Southern University. This is the first Racer season opener win since 2006, and the first time to win 3-0 in the season opener since 2000.

The Racers were able to take the first set only letting the Jaguars score eight points. It seemed as though the Racers were going to make these quick sets.
Starting the second set, was a close back and forth game. The Racers led the 13-15 before the Jaguars went up 22-19. The Racers finally took the set 26-24. During the third set, MSU never gave up the lead and took the game 25-13.

Sam Bedard led the Racers with 30 assists. Taylor Olden and Emily Schmahl both added eight kills apiece. Ellie Lorenz led the team with 18 digs.

The Racers will return to the court Saturday against tournament host Alabama State at 12:30.