Racers Tame Cougars to Cap Perfect Weekend

Saturday, September 28

Edwardsville, Ill.

2 p.m.

Murray State

8-6

SIU Edwardsville

5-9

Murray St.

SIUE

9/28/2019 5:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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It was a perfect weekend for the Murray State volleyball team as the Racers swept SIU Edwardsville on the road, Saturday afternoon, to move to 2-0 in the young OVC season.

Rachel Giustino led the Racers with 14 kills followed by Kolby McClelland with eight. Ashley McBee dished out 34 assists and had six kills on nine swings while Becca Fernandez led a pack of four Racers with double-digit digs as she racked up 27 in just the three sets.

Giustino and McBee also had double-digit digs for double-doubles and were joined by Alex Kaufmann who had 11 as the Racers tallied 76 digs in the match.

SIUE started the match strong in the first set as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead but a 6-0 run by the Racers put them in front, 8-7. The set went back-and-forth until the Cougars took 23-21 lead, but with their backs against the wall, McBee notched a kill to get within one before Giustino registered three straight kills to take the set, 25-23.

After winning the last four points of the first set, the Racers won the first four points of the second set to jump out to a quick lead. The momentum in the set changed multiple times in the second set as SIUE went on a 7-1 run to take the lead before the Racers answered with a 6-1 run later in the set to take a 17-13 lead.

However, the Cougars responded once more with a 5-0 run to retake an 18-17 lead. Despite the ref looking at Coach Schwepker expecting a timeout to be called, he trusted his players on the court and they responded with an 8-0 run to win the set, highlighted by great serving from Kaufmann.

In the third set, SIUE built a six-point lead at 17-11, but a 5-1 run got the Racers back in the set. After alternating points, the Racers went on a 4-0 run to take a 23-22 lead. However, two straight points by SIUE gave them set point but a kill by McBee tied the set at 24.

After trading points, a service error by SIUE gave the Racers match point and on match point, Alysha Smith and McBee came up clutch as they teamed up to block Savannah Christian for the Racers' first and only block of the match, giving Murray State a 27-25 set win and a sweep.

The Racers will be back in action on Friday for their home opener as they will host UT Martin at 6 p.m. at Racer Arena.