Story by Maggiann Ackerman
Staff Writer
mackerman@murraystate.edu
Racer volleyball extended their win streak to 15 games following the 3-1 second-round OVC tournament win over Morehead State, 24-17, 25-27, 25-23 and 26-24.
At the beginning of the first set, Murray State scored six of the first eight points of the game. The score was 6-2 after kills by Murray State junior right side hitter Rachel Holthaus and a pair of aces by junior outside hitter Rachel Giustino and sophomore setter Ashley McBee.
The Racers held a comfortable nine-point lead later in the match after several kills executed by Murray State senior middle blocker Dacia Brown.
Morehead State went on a six-point run in its last attempt to claim the set, but the efforts were unsuccessful thanks to several kills by freshman middle blocker Kolby McClelland and a service ace by Holthaus.
The second set was neck-and-neck with the score deadlocked at 15 midway through the match. Contributing to the tight score were kills by Murray State sophomore middle blocker Katriah Johnson and Morehead State sophomore outside hitter Olivia Lohmeier.
The game continued to be back and forth after another kill by Lohmeier, but Giustino was quick to respond with a kill of her own to tie the score at 20.
Despite the Racers’ best efforts, the Eagles went on to claim set two after a service ace by Morehead State senior right side hitter Jordan Jones.
Murray State was off to a strong start in the third set following a kill by McBee and a service ace by Giustino.
However, the Eagles’ momentum from the second set carried over, and after a kill by Jones the score was tied at 10.
After a hard-fought set, the Racers claimed their second win of the match 25-23 thanks to a kill by Brown.
Morehead State held the lead 13-9 midway through the fourth set. Contributing to the edge were errors made by Murray State, as well as kills by Lohmeier and Morehead State sophomore outside hitter Lauren Rokey.
The Racers were able to come back after kills by Johnson and errors made by the Eagles tied the score at 20.
Murray State took the lead and won the final set 26-24 thanks to a kill by McClelland.
Murray State volleyball (21-9) (13-3) will play in the OVC Tournament Championship, facing Austin Peay State University at noon on Saturday, Nov. 17, in Clarksville, Tennessee.