The Murray State Racers faced a setback against the Belmont Bruins, losing 3-0 in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday afternoon. This defeat means the Racers secure the seventh seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship, while the Bruins remain in contention for an eighth seed.
The match featured tightly contested sets, with the first set seeing the Bruins take a 15-20 lead before the Racers fought back to equalize at 23-23. However, the Bruins sealed the set with kills from Mialee Dabbelt. The second set mirrored this intensity, tied seven times before the Bruins edged out another 25-23 victory. The Bruins dominated the third set, hitting .500 with 20 kills, allowing them to take the set decisively at 25-16.
Statistically, the Bruins outperformed the Racers in assists, leading 60-40, and also had the advantage in digs with 46 to 41. The Racers, however, excelled in blocking, recording five blocks to the Bruins’ two.
Individually, Ella Vogel was a standout for the Racers, notching 15 kills, while Bailey DeMier contributed significantly with 30 assists. On defense, Dahlia Miller led with 16 digs and Darci Metzger added three blocks. The Bruins had three players reaching double digits in kills, with Luck Kay leading the pack at 17. Kamryn Olson and Lilly Lutz also made notable contributions with 51 assists and 15 digs, respectively.
Looking ahead, the Racers are set to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with their first match scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m. CT. This tournament presents a new opportunity for the team to demonstrate their resilience and potentially advance in the conference.
For fans eager to keep up with the team’s journey, updates can be found on their social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. This championship could be a pivotal moment for the Racers as they aim to turn the tides and build momentum heading into future matches.