Photo by MSU Athletics
The Murray State volleyball team took on the defending OVC champions in Austin Peay, Tuesday evening, battling the Governors for four sets, but ultimately dropping the match.
The Racers fall to 6-9 overall and 0-3 in the OVC, while APSU improves to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
Senior Dacia Brown led the Racers with 18 kills and hit .325. Junior Rachel Giustino added 16 kills while sophomore Katirah Johnson hit .333 with seven kills. Sophomores Ashley McBeeand Callie Anderton had 28 and 15 assists, respectively.
On defense, sophomore Becca Fernandez had 25 digs and Johnson tallied four blocks. Giustino and McBee each recorded double-digit digs to register double-doubles.
The first set went back-and-forth until the Governors scored three straight points to take an 18-15 lead. The Racers got back to within one at 21-20 on a kill by redshirt-freshman Kolby McClelland, but Austin Peay held on to take the set, 25-22.
Austin Peay used a 6-0 run to take a 15-9 lead about halfway through the second set and was able to hold on to their lead to win the set, 25-22, despite Murray state going on a 5-1 run late in the set to cut the lead to two.
In the third set, the Govs jumped out to an 11-6 lead, but MSU came roaring back to win the set, 25-21. The Racers started their comeback by going on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 12, culminating in a kill by McClelland. After Austin Peay won the next point, Brown jumpstarted a 10-2 run with two straight kills. Brown eventually added another kill on set point to bring the match to a fourth set.
In the fourth set, Austin Peay took an early 8-4 lead, and this time, did not let it get away from them, as they continually expanded their lead, taking the set, 25-15.
The Racers are back in action, Saturday in their home opener. They will take on Eastern Kentucky at Racer Arena at 1 p.m. as part of family weekend. Murray State will also honor their volleyball alumni during the match.
Courtesy of MSU Athletics
