Racers Head to Indiana for Sycamore Classic

Dates: Sept. 11 and 12
Match Times: 11^th – 9 a.m., 12^th – 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Opponents (Record): IPFW (1-6), Eastern Michigan (5-1) and Indiana State (5-3)
Site (Venue): Terre Haute, Ind. (ISU Arena)
Host (Tournament): Indiana State (Sycamore Holiday Inn Classic)
Watch Live: ESPN3 (Indiana State match)
Live Stats: IPFW | Eastern Michigan | Indiana State
MSU Record (Streak) 4-1 (W1)
MSU vs. The Field: 1-3
All-Time Series vs. IPFW (Streak): 0-3 (L3)
All-Time Series vs. EMU (Streak): First-ever meeting
All-Time Series vs. ISU (Streak): 1-0 (W1)
MSU Next Matches: Sept. 18-19 at Winthrop Invitational
MSU Next Home Match: Oct. 7 vs. Austin Peay

This Week
Murray State returns to tournament action this weekend as it travels to Indiana State for the Sycamore Holiday Inn Classic. The Racers won their first tournament of the season in late August, going 3-0 at the WCU Catamount Classic.

Last Week
The Racers split their two matches last weekend in Seattle, Wash., losing their first match of the season to seventh-ranked Washington, before responding with a sweep over Buffalo. Kristen Besselsen led the Racers with 18 kills and 23 digs in the two matches while Alyssa Lelm led the team with a .281 hitting percentage. Taylor Olden recorded five service aces over the weekend to lead the squad.

Coming Home
Indiana natives Scottie Ingram and Audrey Lewis return to the Hoosier State this weekend. Ingram is a native of Solsberry, while Lewis hails from Columbus.

Scouting IPFW
The Mastodons boast All-Summit League honoree from 2014 in Somer Johnson. Johnson leads the team with 107 kills, nearly double the amount of her closest teammate. Natasha Medic and Natalie Seiler are imposing defensively at the net, averaging 1.11 and 1.07 blocks per set, respectively. Jaqua Madison leads the team with 216 assists on the season. The Mastodons lost 2014 Summit League Player of the Year Emily Spencer to graduation. IPFW is led by Head Coach Steve Florio who is in his second season.

Scouting Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan returns Second Team All-MAC libero Corynne Smith to this season's squad. Smith has been superb in the back row for the Eagles, averaging 6.05 digs per set. EMU has used a balanced attack in 2015, led by Stacey Perinar's 87 kills, while Cassie Haut and Devon Murray have recorded 44 and 40 kills, respectively. The Eagles use two setters in their attack, Alyssa Davis leads the squad with 120 assists while Mallory Rajewski has 109. Eastern Michigan is led by first-year head coach Kimi Olson.

Scouting Indiana State
Indiana State enters the weekend with a 5-3 record, including two victories over OVC opponents (Eastern Illinois and Morehead State). The Sycamores' Bree Spangler leads the team with 107 kills and is second on the team with 105 digs in 2015. Spangler was a 2014 All-Missouri Valley First Team selection. Erika Nord leads the team in assists, averaging 10.62 per set, while Steph Bindermagel leads the team with 119 (3.40 per set) digs. Cassandra Willis leads the team with 39 total digs. ISU is led by Head Coach Traci Dahl-Skinner who is in her eighth season with the Sycamores.

Watch Live
MSU's last match of the tournament against Indiana State will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Click HERE to watch the Racers in action.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kristen Besselsen

Scottie Ingram

Alyssa Lelm

Audrey Lewis

Taylor Olden

Murray State University Athletics