MURRAY, Ky. – Eastern Illinois volleyball battled through the opening three sets before Murray State dominated play in the fourth giving the Racers a 3-1 victory at Racer Arena.
Murray State won the Sunday evening match; 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12.
In the opening set Murray State jumped out to an 18-12 lead midway through the set as Kolby McClelland had three kills that pushed the Racers advantage out to six points. EIU would get to within four points at 22-18 on a kill by
Danielle Allen before Murray State closed out the set. McClelland added another late kill for the Racers as she finished with 13 in the match, one of three MSU players in double figures.
In the second set Murray State again built a couple point lead midway through the set. This time EIU was able to rally late as they closed what had been a four-point Murray State lead to a 20-20 tie after an Allen kill and service ace by
Bailey Chandler. Tied 22-22, MSU would win three of the final four points of the set. Jayla Holcombe had a pair of kills for the Racers while EIU scored its point off a
Kylie Michael kill.
In the third set it was EIU able to score the big points late in the match. EIU trailed 20-19 when
Ashley Sharkus served four straight points for the Panthers to take a 23-20 lead.Â
Laurel Bailey had two kills and a block assist in the run. EIU would score its final two points of the set on a Michael kill and solo block by Allen.
Murray State came out determined in the fourth set as the Racers quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead before extending their lead to 14-4. Holcombe had two kills for Murray State in the run coupled with a pair of EIU attack errors. Holcombe would register three straight kills to make it 24-12 before the match ended on a Racers block.  Holcombe had 16 kills to lead Murray State.
EIU was led by Michael with a double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs.  Bailey had 11 kills while last week's OVC Defensive Player of the Week
Christina Martinez Mundo had 14 digs.
Darci Metzger was the third Murray State player with double figure kills with 12. Becca Fernandez had 22 digs.Â
EIU fell to 1-10 on the season. Murray State improved to 5-6.
