Story by Maggiann Ackerman
Staff Writer
mackerman@murraystate.edu
Murray State swept the top-seeded Austin Peay Governors in the OVC Championship 25-15, 25-20 and 25-22 to earn its ticket to the dance.
In the first set, the Racers took the lead 7-4 after errors made by Austin Peay. Kills by Murray State senior middle blocker Dacia Brown and a service ace contributed to the early lead.
Murray State sophomore setter Ashley McBee was able to set up her team to execute three consecutive kills by Brown, freshman middle blocker Kolby McClelland and junior right side hitter Rachel Holthaus to make the score 14-8.
The Governors were unable to catch up, resulting in the Racers taking a 19-10 lead late in the match thanks to kills by Holthaus, McBee and Murray State junior outside hitter Rachel Giustino.
Set one concluded 25-15 with a dominant kill by Brown, assisted by McBee.
Carrying over their momentum from the first set, the Racers held an early 8-2 lead in the second set. Aiding in the early advantage was a service ace by Murray State sophomore libero Becca Fernandez and kills by Brown and Holthaus.
Sitting comfortably, Murray State extended the lead 19-8 following kills by the entire Racers’ offense including McClelland, Giustino, Brown and Holthaus.
Not wanting to give up just yet, Austin Peay held the Racers at set point seven times before Murray State went on to win 25-20. Contributing to the last chance of hope were kills by Austin Peay senior middle blocker Logan Carger and senior outside hitter Cecily Gable, as well as multiple errors committed by the Racers.
Only one more set stood in the way of Murray State claiming the OVC conference title. However, the Governors did not let them walk away without a fight.
The third set began with both teams attacking the net with Brown and Gable providing kills for their team.
The score was tied midway through the set thanks to kills by Austin Peay junior outside hitter Jenna Panning and Murray State sophomore middle blocker Katriah Johnson.
The Governors took the lead 13-11 after an error by the Racers and another kill from Panning.
Murray State fought back to not only tie the game at 14, but to take the lead 18-15 after kills by Giustino, Holthaus and Johnson.
Austin Peay was unwilling to give up, and the score tied again at 20 after offensive success by Austin Peay sophomore outside hitter Brooke Moore and Carger.
The Racers took the lead once again after kills by Brown and Holthaus made the score 24-21 and put Murray State just one point away from claiming the OVC tournament title.
The final card in the deck was dealt after McClelland finished off the Governors with a kill and closed out the final set 25-22.
Aiding in the 3-0 victory over Austin Peay was Murray State’s ability to outhit the Governors 52-35 and have a .325 hitting percentage compared to Austin Peay’s .185.
After the victory, Brown talked about the attitude of the team leading up to tournament play and the championship game.
“Coming into this week everyone’s nerves were all over the place,” Brown said. We knew what needed to be done and we knew how to do but a lot of the girls on the team never have actually won it. We also were wanting to revenge last years loss in the championship so was at the top of our list going into this week.”
Brown also expressed immense pride in winning another OVC championship title.
“It was amazing to not only win today but sweep them in their house and I believe that showed a lot about our team. I’m really proud and grateful to be apart of an amazing group of girls that are able to get through anything that is thrown at us.”
Racer volleyball (22-9) (13-3) will continue their season following the victory over Austin Peay at a time that is yet to be determined, but will be announced during the The NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship selection show 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.