Racers Defeat Salukis in Five-Set Thriller
10/26/2024 8:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Murray State survives to defeat Southern Illinois 3-2.
The Murray State Racers (12-8, 7-4 MVC) defeated the Southern Illinois Salukis (10-12, 3-8 MVC) 3-2 in Carbondale, Ill. Saturday night. Â
ÂWith the win the Racers remain in fourth place in the Missouri Valley Conference while the Salukis are in eighth.Â
ÂThe Racers were efficient in the first set, registering 21 kills on a .452 attacking percentage and winning 25-20. SIU fought back in the second set, holding off a Murray State comeback to win 25-23. Momentum continues to change hands in the third and fourth sets with Murray State taking a 25-18 win and SIU winning the fourth 25-16 to force a pivotal final set. Â
ÂThe final set saw the Salukis jump out to an early 8-3 lead. The Racers then went on a run to tie the set 8-8 and never looked back, going another 7-2 claiming a 15-10 win to seal the match. Â
ÂLily Burnett set a new career-high with 19 kills to lead the team. Three other Racers recorded double-digit kills as Ella Vogel had 15, Haidi Miliou had 14, and Darci Metzger had 12. Bailey DeMier recorded a new season-high with 54 assists while Dahlia Miller led both teams with 24 digs. Metzger and Miliou both had team highs with three blocks. Â
ÂFor the Salukis Larissa Seager led the way with 14 kills while Annabelle Sulish and Kelly Franklin had 12 apiece. Sulish led the team with 23 digs while Ema Stermenska put up 28 assists and Anna Jaworski added 26. Â
ÂThe Racers return home next weekend to host UNI on Friday, November 1 at 6 p.m. CT. They host the Drake Bulldogs the following Saturday at 5 p.m. CT for Racer Volleyball senior night. Â
ÂFollow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics), and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersVB).
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