Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
2-9,0-2MVC
Southern Illinois
6-7,1-0MVC
Racers’ Rally Falls Short in Home Opener
9/26/2025 8:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Murray State loses to Southern Illinois 3-1.
The Murray State Racers fell to the Southern Illinois Salukis 3-1 in their home opener on Friday night.
The Racers fall to 2-9 on the season, and 0-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play, while the Salukis improve to 6-7 with their first MVC win.
The first set was a close one with both teams hitting over .300 before the Salukis eventually came out on top 25-23. They pushed their lead to 2-0 after winning the second set 25-20 on the back of an 11-2 run to start the set.
The Racers responded in the third, putting up 15 kills with a .310 hitting percentage and holding off a late SIU charge to win 27-25 and stay alive. The match stayed tight in the fourth until the Salukis pulled away late to win 25-19 and clinch the match.
The Racers were led in kills by senior Ella Vogel with 19, while Alexa Watts and Anne Makowski added 11 each. Paige Brock led the team with assists, and Katie Titus added 21 of her own. Mija Pristovnik led the team with 11 digs while Katie Titus added 10, giving the freshman her second straight double-double. Morgan McClure led the team with five blocks while Haidi Miliou and Alexa Watts added three each.
Cecelia Bulmahn led the Salukis with 20 kills, while Emma Lade put up 30 assists, and Jillian Shaneyfelt added 19 digs.
The Racers will hit the road for a pair of matches in the state of Iowa next weekend. They face the Drake Bulldogs on Friday, October 3, at 6 p.m. CT in Des Moines, Iowa, and the UNI Panthers on Saturday, October 4, at 1 p.m. CT in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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