Story by Maggiann Ackerman
Contributing writer
mackerman@murraystate.edu
In Saturday’s game Murray State’s volleyball team continued its winning streak by beating the Belmont Bruins in four sets 25-14, 22-25, 25-20, and 25-16.
The first set started out with Belmont claiming the first point of the game; however, that was the last time the Bruins held the lead for the remainder of the set.
Murray State went on a 6-1 run following an attack error by Belmont freshmen setter Carly Mason making the score 6-2.
The rest of the first set was in Murray State’s favor. The Racers on four separate occasions had 3-0 runs after kills by Murray State senior middle blocker Dacia Brown and Murray State junior outside hitter Rachel Giustino.
Belmont was unable to keep up and Giustino sealed the deal with a kill to conclude the first set 25-14.
The second set of the game seemed like it was going to be a reflection of the first, with Murray State coming out on a 3-0 run thanks to a block by Murray State sophomore setter Ashley McBee, however, the Bruins proved to have other plans when Belmont freshmen hitter Taylor Floyd caught fire at the net, helping her team go on a 7-0 run. This would not only tie the game, but the Bruins took the lead 15-11.
Late in the second set, the teams were neck-and-neck. Brown, in a last chance effort, claimed a kill for the Racers, but despite her best efforts Floyd was just too much to handle and Belmont won the second set 25-22.
With a win under each of the team’s belts, they came out ready for a fight in the third set.
Right after Murray State junior right side hitter Rachel Holthaus got a kill for the Racers to make the score 15-13, Belmont senior hitters Maggie Mullins and Tori Simmons claimed a kill each to the tie the score.
The Bruins were forced to call timeout after a kill by Brown that made the score 21-17. The Racers continued the momentum until a service error by Giustino gave the possession back to Belmont 24-17.
Belmont was not ready to give up and played through three set-points until a hiccup by Simmons while serving ended the set 25-20 in Murray State’s favor.
Murray State’s endurance was noted during the fourth set after errors made by Belmont made the score 15-10.
A service ace by Brown, more errors from Belmont and kills from both Murray State freshmen middle blocker Kolby McClelland and Giustino contributed to the massive lead late in the final set 23-14.
Murray State’s underclassmen were able to finish off the Bruins when a set by McBee resulted in a kill by Murray State sophomore middle blocker Katirah Johnson to conclude the game 25-16.
Murray State volleyball (11-9) (5-3) is now on a five-game winning streak and will return home at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 19 to play Tennessee Tech in Racer Arena.