The Murray State Racers faced a tough defeat against the Belmont Bruins, losing 3-0 in a match held in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday afternoon. With this outcome, the Racers secured the 7th seed for the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship, while the Bruins remain just outside contention for the tournament in the 8th position.
The match was closely contested, especially in the first two sets. The Bruins initially led with a score of 15-20, but the Racers fought back to tie at 23-23. Unfortunately for Murray State, Mialee Dabbelt’s key kills allowed the Bruins to take the first set. The second set was equally competitive, showing seven ties, yet Belmont emerged victorious again, winning 25-23. The Bruins asserted their dominance in the third set, achieving a remarkable .500 hitting percentage and notching 20 kills, concluding the set 25-16.
Statistical highlights from the match showed that while the Bruins outperformed the Racers in both assists (60-40) and digs (46-41), Murray State excelled in blocking, recording five compared to Belmont’s two. Ella Vogel led the Racers’ attack with 15 kills, while Bailey DeMier contributed significantly with 30 assists. On defense, Dahlia Miller’s 16 digs and Darci Metzger’s three blocks were notable efforts.
Belmont had a well-rounded performance with three players achieving double-digit kills; Luck Kay led the team with 17. Kamryn Olson and Lilly Lutz each made their mark with 51 assists and 15 digs, respectively.
Looking ahead, the Racers are set to compete in the MVC Championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with their first match scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to follow Murray State Athletics on social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, to stay updated on the team’s journey.
In summary, while the Racers faced a challenging loss, they demonstrated determination and skill that can serve them well in the upcoming championship. With the right strategy and teamwork, they have the potential to make a strong showing in the tournament.