Logan Boger
Contributing Writer
lboger@murraystate.edu
The Murray State volleyball team will compete in the UIC Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13, taking on Sacramento State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Bradley University.
Murray State is coming off a solid weekend at the Troy Invitational. The Racers snagged their first two wins of the season in the tournament, defeating the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 3-1 and Jacksonville University 3-2.
The Racers’ first game will be against Sacramento State on Friday, Sept. 13. The Hornets finished 2018 with a 16-16 record, while owning an 11-6 record in conference play. Sacramento State’s season was cut short by Idaho State University in the Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals.
The Hornets are coming off a 3-2 win in a big comeback game against Army West Point. Sacramento last played the Racers in 2014 and won the match 3-1.
The second game of the invitational will see the Racers play UIC. The Flames finished their invitational this weekend with a sweep against Central Michigan. Murray State and UIC last played in 2017, resulting in Murray State losing 3-0.
The Racers’ final game will be on Saturday, Sept. 14. This match will see the Racers face off against Bradley University. The Braves ended this weekend 3-1 losing to DePaul University. Bradley swept Murray State when they played 2 years ago.
When asked about what they are doing to get ready for this set of games, Coach Schwepker said they are going to keep working hard.
“As always, we just try to improve a little each week,” Schwepker said. “If we can constantly fix something and continue fixing things throughout the season, then by the end of the season our program can be strong. This week we will concentrate on our offense.”
Junior setter and outsider hitter Ashley McBee said after a rough week the team is looking to improve in all facets of its game.
“This week we are just working on the things we didn’t do well,” McBee said. “The main focus is just being better than what we were the day before.”
The Racers will open up the invitational against Sacramento State at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.