The Murray State Racers’ volleyball team faced a tough defeat against the Belmont Bruins, losing 3-0 in Nashville, Tennessee. With this loss, the Racers secured the 7th seed for the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship, while the Bruins are positioned on the edge of qualifying, sitting in eighth place.
In the opening set, the Bruins initially led 20-15, but the Racers fought back to tie the match at 23-23. However, Mialee Dabbelt’s two kills propelled the Bruins to secure the first set. The second set mirrored the first in competitiveness, featuring seven ties before the Bruins edged out another narrow 25-23 victory. The Bruins dominated the third set, showcasing impressive offensive prowess with a hitting percentage of .500, ultimately winning 25-16.
Statistically, the Bruins outperformed the Racers with 60 assists compared to 40, and they also recorded more digs, totaling 46 to the Racers’ 41. However, Murray State excelled in blocking, achieving five blocks against Belmont’s two.
Leading the Racers offensively was Ella Vogel, who notched 15 kills, and Bailey DeMier provided 30 assists. On defense, Dahlia Miller recorded 16 digs, while Darci Metzger contributed with three blocks. For the Bruins, Luck Kay led with 17 kills, and both Kamryn Olson and Lilly Lutz made significant contributions with 51 assists and 15 digs, respectively.
The Racers are scheduled to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa, starting with their first match on Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to follow the Racers on social media to keep up with the latest news and updates on Murray State Athletics and volleyball.
This setback may serve as a valuable learning experience for the Racers as they prepare for the championship. Their strong showing in blocking and the individual performances highlight their potential to bounce back and make a significant impact in the upcoming tournament. The spirit and determination displayed in their matches indicate that the Racers could turn things around and excel in the MVC Championship.