Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
3-4
Sacramento State
3-5
Racers Buzz Past Hornets at UIC Invitational
9/13/2019 7:49:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State volleyball team kicked off the UIC Invitational, Friday afternoon, defeating Sacramento State in four sets. The Racers improve to 3-4 with the win while the Hornets fall to 3-5.
Rachel Giustino led MSU with 17 kills while also chipping in 14 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Ashley McBee dished out 42 assists while Becca Fernandez had 25 digs. Emily Matson also had a strong match with five service aces.
The Racers got off to a fast start, winning the first set for the first time this season. The set went back-and-forth until Murray State went on a 9-0 run to take a 24-17 lead. After the Hornets ended the run, Rachel Holthaus clinched the set with a kill.
Murray State carried their momentum into the second set as they jumped out to a 7-1 lead, which included four straight service aces from Matson. However, the Hornets slowly climbed back into the set, eventually taking a 23-22 lead. Giustino followed with a kill, but Sacramento State won the next two points to take the set.
The third set was similar to the second, but in reverse as the Racers fell behind early before mounting a comeback. Down 14-11, the Racers went on an 8-2 run to take a 19-16 lead, which they were able to hold, winning the set, 25-21.
In the fourth set, it remained close until the Racers went on a 6-1 run to take a 20-14 lead. After the Hornets save a couple of match points a little later in the set, Giustino clinched the set and match with a kill.
The Racers will continue the UIC Invitational tomorrow when they take on the host Flames at noon before closing out the weekend with Bradley at 4 p.m. The match against UIC will be streamed on ESPN+.
