Racers to Compete in Elon Phoenix Classic

Friday, September 6

Elon, N.C.

10 a.m.

Murray State

North Carolina Central

9/5/2024 6:24:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Murray State will face N.C. Central, Elon, and UNC Greensboro.

By: Charlie Williams

Dates(Times): September 6 (10 a.m. CT & 7 p.m. CT), September 7 (1 p.m. CT)

Site (Venue): Elon, N.C. (Schar Center)

Opponents: North Carolina Central Eagles, Elon Phoenix, UNC Greensboro Spartans

Live Stats: GoRacers.com

Murray State Volleyball (0-3) will compete in the Elon Phoenix Classic in Elon, North Carolina on September 6 and 7.

The Racers will begin their slate by facing the Eagles of North Carolina Central (0-2) on September 6 at 10 a.m. CT. Both squads will be looking for their first win of the year as the Racers were unable to pick up a win at the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic, and the Eagles suffered a pair of losses to North Carolina A&T.

Ella Vogel looks to continue her hot start to the season for the Navy & Gold, as her 62 kills lead the Missouri Valley Conference and her 5.46 points per set are second most in the MVC. Dahlia Miller continues to stand out at the libero position as she currently averages 4.75 digs per set and has six service aces, third most in the MVC.

The Eagles are led by a trio of hitters, Makenzi Searcy, Kamren Harper, and Kayden Cupid, all of whom have double-digit points on the season. Searcy leads the way with 25 points with all of them being kills, Harper adds 18.5 with 17 kills, and Cupid has 10.5 with seven kills. Defensive specialist Loren Johnson was listed as a member of the preseason All-MEAC Volleyball Team and leads the Eagles with 30 digs.

Following their matchup with NCCU, the Racers will face the tournament hosts, the Elon Phoenix (1-3) at 7 p.m. CT. The Phoenix are led by senior outside hitter Sydney Love, an All-CAA Preseason Honorable Mention. Love averages 3.46 kills per set with 45 total and 11 blocks on the season. Libero Caroline Doyle is averaging 5.71 digs per set with a total of 80 on the season.

On Saturday, September 7 the Racer will play their final contest of the Elon Phoenix Classic against UNC Greensboro (2-1) at 1 p.m. CT. The Spartans have been led this season by freshman outside hitter Allie Sweet. Sweet was named last week's SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Spartans with 61 kills in her first week as a collegiate athlete and put up 27 kills in her very first game. Madeline Timmerman has put up 50 points on the season with 39 kills, and Chloe Nussbaum leads the team with 50 kills.

"We are back at it! We have had some good practices and good talks," said Murray State head coach David Schwepker. "So we will see what happens!"

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