Volleyball extends streak

Story by Magiann Ackerman

Contributing writer

mackerman@murraystate.edu

Murray State volleyball continued its winning streak after taking Jacksonville State University to five games 18-25, 25-22, 25-13, 23-25 and 15-10.

At the beginning of the first set both teams were neck-and-neck with the score tied at 6.

A shift was conducted after Jacksonville State sophomore setter Lexie Libs served a pair of aces at the Racers to put the Gamecocks up 9-6.

Jacksonville State’s scrappy defense helped it improve its lead over the Racers 15-10. Struggling to find its groove, Murray State called a timeout to regain its composure.

However, the Gamecocks’ menacing presence at the net, along with wisely placed serves, proved too much for the Racers to handle and Jacksonville State went on to win the first set 25-18.

The same challenges Murray State faced in the first set carried over to the beginning of the second. That was until Brown and Johnson were able to give the Gamecocks a taste of their own medicine, providing blocks and kills for Murray State to tie the game at 11.

Jacksonville State appeared shell-shocked by the Racers’ ability to adapt to the Gamecocks playing style. Not only did this adaptation keep Murray State neck-and-neck with Jacksonville State, but the Racers were able to take the lead 18-17 after Murray State junior outside hitter Rachel Giustino claimed a kill.

Brown took over in the final points of the game by providing unreturnable hits and crafty tips for Murray State to put the Racers up 24-21.

However, it was Murray State junior right side hitter Rachel Holthaus that claimed the final point of the set after a quick hit to conclude the second set 25-22.

Giustino came out on a mission at the beginning of the third set. Claiming her one-thousandth kill of her career, Giustino was able to score three of the Racers first eight points, contributing to the early 8-5 lead over the Gamecocks.

Wanting in on the fun, Brown excelled at the net by getting three kills in a row along with a block to put the Racers up 16-11.

Jacksonville State fell apart late in the set, making several offensive errors which allowed Murray State to take the third set 25-13 handily.

Murray State, up 2-1, came out confident and ready for the battle that awaited them in the fourth set.

 

Johnson, Brown and Murray State freshman middle blocker Kolby McClelland showed off their offensive capabilities, to aid the 7-5 lead over the Gamecocks.

 

The Racers held the lead late into the set until Jacksonville State junior middle blocker Kaylee Frear was able to get a set of kills and deadlock the score at 23.

 

Kills by Jacksonville State sophomore hitter Sadie Anderson and junior hitter Shayla Schmidt got the best of Murray State’s defense and the set ended at 25-23.

 

Both teams had two wins under their belts going into the fifth and final set.

 

Brown rejected the Gamecocks’ attempt to take the first point of the match with a massive block.

 

Jacksonville State came at the Racer defense once again, but Murray State sophomore libero Becca Fernandez was quick to dig up the hit, resulting in another kill by Brown.

 

Brown and Giustino tag-teamed the Gamecocks, both getting several kills to put the Racers up 9-6 midway through the match.

 

Jacksonville State senior defensive specialist Ashley Clingan missed a critical service error to improve Murray State’s lead 13-9 and to put the Racers only two points away from another OVC victory.

 

Following the missed serve, Johnson and Holthaus denied the Gamecocks’ attempt to get back into the game with a critical block.

 

Johnson wrapped up the game with a slide assisted by Murray State sophomore setter Ashley McBee, and the Racers won the final set 15-10.

 

Giustino, who recorded her 1,000th kill against the Gamecocks, said it was a monumental achievement.

 

“It’s a good feeling, definitely,” Giustino said. “I love being able to contribute to this team in that way.”

 

Head Coach David Schwepker expressed his pride in this Racer team following the hard-fought win.

 

“It’s awesome; it’s always awesome,” Schwepker said. “We started off very sluggish and slow, and I wasn’t sure what was going on. But then everyone picked it up after that first set and then it was a battle. I told my girls in the locker room that I don’t care 3, 4, 5 sets; I just want to win.”

 

Racer volleyball will be tested next week as they continue to protect their home court at 7 p.m. Friday, October 26 against Southeast Missouri University and again versus the University of Tennessee Martin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 27 in Racer Arena.

 

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