Volleyball Wins Two, Takes Tournament Title

Saturday, September 13

Chattanooga, Tenn.

9 a.m.

Murray State

Wright State

Photo by: Joel Coleman-Liberty

9/13/2014 9:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Murray State beat both opponents Wright State and Chattanooga to become the Chattanooga Classic Tournament Champions.

To start the day the Racers defeated the Raiders 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-18) and then the Mocs 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 27-29, 25-14, 17-15). Taylor Olden was named Tournament MVP, while Sam Bedard and Alyssa Lelm were named to the All-Tournament team.

Game one vs. Wright State 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-18)

Murray State defeated Wright State 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-18). Murray State has tied their series against Wright State 2-2.

The first set was close until Wright State had an 11-9 lead and Murray State took the next six points to take a 15-11 lead. Wright State was able to keep themselves in the set and only trail 18-14, but the Racers wouldn't give up the lead and they took the next six points to give themselves a 24-14 lead. They gave up one point before taking the set 25-15.

The second set started with the Racers jumping out to a quick 6-0 lead. After that MSU was able to gain the advantage over the Raiders and take the set 25-12. To start the third set, both teams tied it up 2-2 before Murray State took the next seven points to take a 9-2 lead. The Raiders would not give up, by taking points back to cut the Racers lead to 13-10. MSU was able to continue to outscore Wright State and hold them off to take the third set, 25-18.

There were two double-doubles coming from Sam Bedard who had 28 assists and 11 digs, while Scottie Ingram contributed 11 kills and 10 digs. Two additional Racers had a 10-plus dig match. They were Ellie Lorenz who led with 17, and Kristen Besselsen who contributed 10. Taylor Olden led the team with 12 kills.

When talking about the win, head coach David Schwepker said, "Wright State came out strong and they did a good job, but our girls did the same. I feel like we just stayed doing what we were supposed to be doing."

Game two vs. Chattanooga 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 27-29, 25-14, 17-15)

The Racers ended the Chattanooga Classic defeating tournament host Chattanooga 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 27-29, 25-14, 17-15). Murray State now holds a 2-0 advantage over Chattanooga.

The first three sets of the match were very close. The first set started as a close set until Chattanooga was able to hold a 10-8 lead. After that Murray State was never able to gain the advantage and the Mocs took the first set 25-23. The set started off back and forth before the Racers took a 15-12 lead. The Mocs would not give up easily and took the next three points to tie the set 15-15. The set continued to be back and forth until MSU took a 20-16 advantage. After that the Racers would not give up the lead and took the second set 25-19. The third set was back and forth the whole set. The score was tied 11 times during the set, while the lead changed seven times. The Mocs were able to take the set 27-25 off of a service error and a kill from Julimar Alvarado.

The fourth set was the set the Racers took control. They were able to hold an advantage over Chattanooga. They took the first six points and led 6-0. MSU held a 22-8 advantage before Chattanooga tried to come back taking the next six points to cut the lead to 14-22. The Racers took the next two points off of an attack error off the Mocs and a kill from Bedard. The fifth set, like the fourth, started in the Racers favor, by taking the first two points. The set was back and forth until MSU took the lead off a kill from Lelm to make it 16-15, before taking the match17-15 on an attack error by the Mocs.

Three Racers notched double-doubles during the match. Olden had 16 kills and 15 digs, Ingram added 20 kills and 19 digs, Bedard added 48 assists and 31 digs, while Emily Schmahl added 11 kills and 22 digs. Lorenz helped defensively with 23 digs. Lelm added 16 kills while hitting .500 to help the Racers.

When talking about the match, Schwepker said, "They [Chattanooga] played really well, and we played really well. It was a good win for us."

The Racers will play their last weekend tournament at Valparaiso Tournament in Valparaiso, Ind. MSU will face tournament host Friday at 7:00 p.m. before facing a pair of opponents Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.