Racer Volleyball Finishes The ISTAP Tournament 3-0

Saturday, August 30

Montgomery, Ala.

12:30 p.m.

Murray State

3-0

Alabama State

1-2

Murray State

Alabama State

8/31/2014 9:50:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Murray State volleyball defeated tournament host Alabama State 3-1 (23-25, 25-12, 25-15, 25-20). MSU finished the ISTAP Tournament 3-0.

The first set between the Racers and the Hornets was back and forth. The Racers led 21-15 before the Hornets scored four points to close the gap to 21-19. Then it was back and forth with the Racers leading 22-19 until the Hornets tied it up 22-22. The Hornets took the lead 25-23 to take the first set.

During the second set, MSU took a quick 5-1 lead over ASU. The Racers continued to dominate during the second set leading 18-8. MSU won the second set 25-12.

The third set started as a close set with Alabama State leading 8-6. After tying it up 8-8, Murray State took the lead 15-12. Alabama State brought the set to 16-15, but Murray State would not give up the lead, going up 23-15. Murray State took the third set 25-15.

When the fourth set started it was a back and forth game until Murray State took the lead 7-3. Murray State went up as much as 17-9. Alabama State came back 23-20, before Murray State took the set 25-20.

Kristen Besselsen, who made the All-Tournament team, had her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 15 digs.

Head Coach Dave Schwepker said, "That's how I expect her to play. This is what we should see from her. That's how she is in practice and that's what I like to see."

Taylor Olden helped with 14 kills. While Ellie Lorenz added 19 digs and Sam Bedard added 47 assists.

"Emily Schmahl had a great weekend," added Schwepker, "I thought she was very good all weekend and did her part."

"What I really liked was that our team competed from beginning to end. That's honestly the biggest thing I wanted to see," said Schwepker, "we built confidence for next weekend and hopefully we will just be able to build up confidence every weekend."

The Racers will be on the court next Friday, Sept. 5 at the Liberty Invitational in Lynchburg, Virginia. They will face Liberty, USC Upstate, and Howard.