Racers Turn to Upperclassmen to Lead Newcomers into 2020-21 Season

Racers Turn to Upperclassmen to Lead Newcomers into 2020-21 Season

2/6/2021 10:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Murray State opens the season at Racer Arena against Tennessee State on February 7 and 8

Last season, the Racers lost a five-set heartbreaker to Southeast Missouri in the OVC Tournament semifinals, narrowly missing out on a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. This season, shortened to conference-only due to COVID-19, will look different as Murray State looks to rebuild after losing All-American Rachel Giustino to graduation.

Head coach Dave Schwepker enters his 23rd season and turns to his upperclassmen to lead the newcomers into the 2020-21 season.

"My expectations are to win as they are every year. We are young, we got five new freshman but the expectation is still to win. COVID helped us out a lot by us not having a season in the fall. The young girls got a lot of training and technical training and some good basis and foundation for what they need to be as players," said Schwepker.

Most notably, the Racers returns former OVC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time first-team OVC All-Conference selection, Becca Fernandez. Due to the COVID-19 NCAA Eligibility rules, Fernandez enters her junior season. She sits at seventh all-time in digs and is within striking to jump a few spots in the Murray State record book.

"I expect her to do great things," said Schwepker. "She is the kind of athlete that is going to push herself to get better and better. She's always good, always going after it and still wants to get better."

Also on the defensive side of the ball is sophomore Emma Kailiponi and newcomer, freshman Dahlia Miller from Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. They look to push each other to succeed and fight for time on the floor.

"Dahlia came in with crazy tenacity and is doing outstanding. Emma also has crazy good defense. They will leave it all out on the floor," said Schwepker.

Senior Callie Anderton will be leading the setting core this season. Sophomore Alysha Smith looks to push Anderton as she makes the transition from outside hitter to setter to add depth to the position.

"From fall to spring, Callie has stepped up tremendously. I see a difference in her this spring," noted Schwepker. "Alysha has jumped in there and is doing a great job. She's stepping up a lot. Callie and Alysha are really helping each other out."

One of the biggest question marks for the Racers coming into the season, having lost their top two kill leaders, is the offensive attack. Looking to fill that role will be redshirt junior Kolby McClelland and junior Emily Matson, who finished third and fourth, respectively, on the team in kills. They will be leading a very young, very fresh group of attackers featuring four new faces up front.

"I've seen great things out of Kolby and Emily, both are doing really well this spring. I think we have more power than we did last year. We have the ability to hit it a bunch of different spots and be powerful, " stated Schwepker.

Joining Matson and McClelland will be Paragould, Arkansas native Taylor Beasley, Jayla Holcombe from East St. Louis Charter High School in Belleville, Illinois, Collinsville, Illinois native Darci Metzger and Morgan Price from Houston High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

This season, due to COVID-19 to limit travel and contact, the OVC will play Sunday/Monday series this spring. Murray State will host their home and season opener on Feb. 7 and 8 against Tennessee State at Racer Arena.