Senior Becca Lamb and Ashley Nenninger both earned All-Tournament honors at the Bearcat Invitational.
The Murray State volleyball team fell to the hosts of the Bearcat Invitational, Cincinnati, in the championship match, 0-3 (17-25, 15-25, 19-25) at Fifth Third Arena.
The Racers (2-5) had two individuals named to the all-tournament team, as seniors Ashley Nenninger and Becca Lamb were awarded for their efforts in the three-match tournament. Lamb hit .365 (30k-3e-74ta) for the tournament, while adding 22 digs and four blocks. Nenninger contributed a .333 (37k-11e-78ta) hitting percentage and added seven blocks.
Nenninger led MSU against the Bearcats, with a season-best .474 hitting percentage (10k-1e-19ta). Junior Kayleah Sauer led the team defensively with nine digs.
The Bearcats wasted no time opening a lead in the first set, using several small runs to open the lead to nine (9-18). The Racers continued to fight, but could not string together more than two points in-a-row until Cincinnati had reached set-point. MSU then held off the Bearcats four-straight points before falling 17-25.
Cincinnati continued to push the momentum in the match in the second set. After the teams traded the first six serves the Bearcats then went on a 9-0 run that secured the set victory. Cincinnati continued on to take the set 15-25.
The third set was a closer battle, as no team took more than a four-point advantage in the set. The teams battled to four tie scores, with the last coming at 16-all. However, the Bearcats used a 3-0 run to pull away for good and then earned the 19-25 win.
The Racers will next be in action at the UE Dunn Hospitality Tournament hosted by Evansville, Sep. 10-11. MSU will first face Loyola (Chicago), Sep. 10 at 3 p.m. and then battle with Western Carolina (10 a.m.) and the host Purple Aces (6 p.m.), Sep. 11.
Notes: Senior Sara Hayden saw her first action of the season in the second set…Sara also faced her sister Emily Hayden who is a sophomore on the Bearcats team.