The Murray State Racers faced a tough defeat against the Belmont Bruins, losing 3-0 in a match held in Nashville, Tennessee. This loss secures the Racers as the seventh seed for the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championship, while the Bruins remain on the brink of qualification in eighth place.
In the first set, the Bruins managed to take a 20-15 lead, but the Racers fought bravely to tie it at 23-23. Despite their efforts, Mialee Dabbelt’s timely kills allowed Belmont to clinch the first set. The second set was fiercely competitive, featuring seven ties, but once again, the Bruins emerged victorious with a score of 25-23. The final set saw Belmont dominate, showcasing their strength by hitting .500 and racking up 20 kills for a resounding 25-16 win.
Statistically, the Bruins excelled with 60 assists compared to the Racers’ 40, and they also outperformed in digs, with 46 against Murray State’s 41. However, the Racers found some success in blocking, recording five to the Bruins’ two.
Individually, Ella Vogel stood out for the Racers with 15 kills, while Bailey DeMier contributed significantly with 30 assists. On defense, Dahlia Miller collected 16 digs, and Darci Metzger tallied three blocks. For the Bruins, Luck Kay led her team with 17 kills, supported by Kamryn Olson and Lilly Lutz, who had 51 assists and 15 digs, respectively.
Looking forward, the Racers will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, starting on Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m. CT in Cedar Falls, Iowa. There is optimism within the Racers’ camp as they prepare to regroup and leverage this experience in their upcoming matches.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the team’s journey by following Murray State Athletics on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Keeping the spirit high, the Racers will look to capitalize on their strengths in the championship.