Story by Maggiann Ackerman
Staff writer
mackerman@murraystate.edu
Murray State volleyball’s 16-game winning streak was finally snapped when it mattered most on Friday, Nov. 30, as the Racers lost 25-18, 25-17, and 25-19 to the University of Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Despite the sweep, Murray State was able to temper the Wildcats’ explosive offense for most of the game, controlling momentum early.
The Racers were able to claim the first point of set one with a kill by Murray State senior middle blocker Dacia Brown, assisted by Murray State sophomore setter Ashley McBee.
The Wildcats were quick to respond by taking an early 9-5 lead following kills by Kentucky junior right side hitter Caitlyn Cooper and junior outside hitter Leah Edmond.
Murray State junior outside hitter Rachel Giustino was able to close the gap and make it a one-point game at 10-9 after a kill.
Giustino caught fire offensively to help the Racers hang with UK, but a kill by Edmond made the score 18-15 in the Wildcats favor.
After several errors were committed by Murray State, the first set concluded 25-18.
The second set was close in the early stages with the score tied at four thanks to kills by Murray State junior right side hitter Rachel Holthaus, Murray State freshman middle blocker Kolby McClelland and kills by UK sophomore middle blocker Kendyl Paris and Edmond.
The Racers were then able to take the lead 7-5 with a kill by Giustino and a service error by Cooper.
The Wildcats would tie the score once again at eight, but a kill by Brown put Murray State up 9-8 over Kentucky.
The Racers held the lead 12-11 following a service error by Kentucky sophomore setter Madison Lilley, but the Wildcats came back and took the lead 14-13 after a kill by UK freshman outside hitter Alli Stumler.
Murray State sophomore middle blocker Katirah Johnson and Brown provided kills for the Racers in hopes of keeping their dreams of claiming a set alive.
However, the strong Wildcat offense advanced the lead 23-16 after kills by University of Kentucky senior middle blocker Brooke Morgan and Edmond.
The set concluded with a kill by University of Kentucky freshmen outside hitter Alli Stumler to make the score 25-17.
To begin the third set, Murray State was able to take a 4-1 lead made possible by a pair of service aces executed by Murray State sophomore setter Callie Anderton, a kill from Brown and an error committed by UK.
Both teams were neck-and-neck as they tied the score at six points, seven, eight, nine and 10, due to kills by Holthaus, Giustino, Cooper, and Morgan.
That would be one of the few times the Racers were close to taking the lead again in the set, as a service ace by University of Kentucky sophomore libero Gabby Curry, kill by Stumler, and errors made by Murray State advanced the lead 20-15.
Giustino and Brown remained aggressive at the net to attempt to shorten the 22-17 lead, but a service ace by University of Kentucky senior libero and outside hitter Merideth Jewell along with a kill by Lilley made the score 24-18.
Edmond delivered the final blow to the Racers with a kill to take the third and final set 25-19.
Following the game UK head coach Craig Skinner applauded the effort by the Racer volleyball team, crediting their unique system that emphasizes players setting the ball higher in the air for making the game a challenge.
“From the first time we started watching Murray State to the end of this match, I just have a lot of respect for how hard [Murray State] played this game,” Skinner said. “They have a system that is very difficult to play against.”
Murray State volleyball Head Coach David Schwepker boasted about his team effort in the NCAA tournament game.
“Going into playing against Kentucky we talked about how our athletes just had to go for it and don’t back down,” Schwepker said. “That was our only chance of going up against Kentucky and I think our girls did that. Kentucky is a great team so I’m not upset about that; I think our girls did wonderful.”
Some accomplishments amassed by Murray State this season were Becca Fernandez being named OVC defensive player of the year leading conference in 5.89 digs per set and being fourth player in school history to earn this award.
Fernandez was also named All-OVC first team along with Dacia Brown and Rachel Giustino. Rachel Holthaus was named All-OVC second team in addition.
Murray State concluded its season with a 22-10 record overall and 13-3 record in conference play.