The Murray State Racers faced a challenging defeat against the Belmont Bruins, losing 3-0 in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday. This loss secures the Racers the 7th seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference championship, while the Bruins remain in contention for a tournament spot, sitting in eight place.
The match showcased tightly contested sets, particularly the first, where the Racers rallied to tie at 23-23 after trailing at 15-20. However, Belmont’s Mialee Dabbelt delivered critical kills to secure the set. The second set mirrored the first, with seven ties before the Bruins once again emerged victorious, taking it 25-23. In the decisive third set, Belmont dominated with an impressive .500 hitting percentage, converting 20 kills to close out the match at 25-16.
Statistical highlights included Belmont winning the assists battle with 60 to Murray State’s 40, and they also recorded more digs (46-41). Despite the loss, the Racers excelled in blocking, achieving five blocks compared to Belmont’s two.
Ella Vogel led the Racers with 15 kills, while Bailey DeMier contributed with 30 assists. The defensive efforts were spearheaded by Dahlia Miller, who had 16 digs, along with Darci Metzger who made three blocks. On the Bruins’ side, three players achieved double-digit kills, with Luck Kay leading them with 17. Kamryn Olson and Lilly Lutz excelled in assists and 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 championship presents an opportunity for the Racers to regroup and showcase their skills on a larger stage.
Fans can keep updated on the Racers’ journey by following their social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Here’s hoping the team uses this experience to propel themselves to success in the upcoming championship. The resilience demonstrated during the match suggests that they have the potential to bounce back and perform strongly in their next challenges.