Murray State University Athletics
Saturday, September 29
Morehead, Ky.
1:00 p.m.
Murray State
at
Morehead State
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
Volleyball Heads East To Take On Rival Morehead State
9/27/2012 11:40:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Coming off of a tough loss on Tuesday night to Austin Peay, the Murray State volleyball team will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Morehead State for a 1 p.m. CDT showdown.
On Tuesday, Murray State fell behind early and trailed the Governors, 2-0, in the match. However, the Racers were able to reach down deep and pull out the third set. In the fourth set, MSU appeared ready to force Austin Peay to a decisive fifth set, but dropped four of the last five points in the match and fell, 25-23.
The match, however, was highlighted by three Racers finishing in double-digit kills. Freshman Alyssa Lelm (Mackinaw, Ill.) finished with a career-high 12 kills, while freshman Taylor Olden (Lincoln, Ill.) had a match-high 15. Junior Michelle Lazorchak rounded out the Racers in double-digits with 12.
Heading into Saturday's match, the Racers are currently averaging 12.00 kills per set and 1.19 aces per set, to go along with a hitting percentage of .155. Defensively, Murray State is turning in 14.21 digs per set, as well as 1.80 total blocks per set.
Leading the way individually for MSU is freshman Emily Schmahl (Edgewood, Ky.) who currently leads all Racers in total kills, kills per set and hitting percentage with 112, 2.73 and .206, respectively. Junior Katlyn Hudson (Columbus, Ind.) boasts the most digs on the team heading into Saturday's match with 146 total and 3.48 per match, while Lelm leads the way in total block with 90, 13 solo and 25 assists.
Scouting The Opponent:
Morehead State (11-6, 3-0 OVC): The Eagles are currently undefeated in the OVC and are fresh off of a 3-1 victory at Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night. Since starting the season at 2-6, Morehead State has won nine consecutive matches and has not lost since Sep. 5 at Marshall. Senior Ellie Roberson (Louisville, Ky.) currently averages an OVC-high 3.95 kills per set, while senior Annie Gruenschlaeger (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) leads the Eagles in hitting percentage at 3.10. Gruenschlaeger also sports a team high 1.24 blocks per set, while junior Leslie Schellhaas (Edgewood, Ky.) leads the way in digs with 4.74 per set.
The Series: The Eagles currently lead the all-time series 37-26 and also lead the Racers 20-8 at Wetherby Gym in Morehead. Morehead State has won the last seven meetings between the two schools. MSU has not beaten Morehead since the semifinals of the 2008 OVC tournament, when the Racers, won 3-1. Murray State notched its last win at Wetherby earlier that same year when it won in five sets on Nov. 7.
Panda Power: Emily Schmahl will reunite with former Notre Dame Academy teammates on Saturday, as Morehead State senior Caitlin Clark and junior Leslie Schellhaas also played for the Pandas. Those three make up 10 former Pandas that have gone on to play collegiate volleyball in the past four years, eight of which are still playing. Senior Jenna Schriever has helped lead Northern Kentucky to a successful start in Division I, while classmate Bree Popham plays for Division II Adelphi. Junior Morgan Ebner currently plays for division II Quincy, while freshmen Shelby Reid and Schellhaas' younger sister, Kristen, currently play for NAIA-power Georgetown (Ky.)
Adding To The Trophy Case: Several Racers have racked up honors this season for their performances in early season tournaments. Taylor Olden received All-Tournament honors for her performance at both the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Highlander Invitational and West Virginia's Gold & Blue Classic, while Emily Schmahl was named to the Hyatt Place Fort Wayne/IPFW Invitational All-Tournament Squad. After capturing the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Highlander Invitational tournament championship as a team, Lia Havili was named as the event's most valuable player.
Can't Make It To Morehead?: There are two ways to follow all OVC matches away from the friendly confines of Racer Arena this season. Both live stats and live video, courtesy of the OVC digital network, will be available for away OVC matches this season and both options are free to all fans. Live Stats vs. Morehead State OVC Digital Network
What's Next: The Racers will return to Racer Arena on Tuesday for their final non-conference match of the season, a 7 p.m., face-off with Southern Illinois.
On Tuesday, Murray State fell behind early and trailed the Governors, 2-0, in the match. However, the Racers were able to reach down deep and pull out the third set. In the fourth set, MSU appeared ready to force Austin Peay to a decisive fifth set, but dropped four of the last five points in the match and fell, 25-23.
The match, however, was highlighted by three Racers finishing in double-digit kills. Freshman Alyssa Lelm (Mackinaw, Ill.) finished with a career-high 12 kills, while freshman Taylor Olden (Lincoln, Ill.) had a match-high 15. Junior Michelle Lazorchak rounded out the Racers in double-digits with 12.
Heading into Saturday's match, the Racers are currently averaging 12.00 kills per set and 1.19 aces per set, to go along with a hitting percentage of .155. Defensively, Murray State is turning in 14.21 digs per set, as well as 1.80 total blocks per set.
Leading the way individually for MSU is freshman Emily Schmahl (Edgewood, Ky.) who currently leads all Racers in total kills, kills per set and hitting percentage with 112, 2.73 and .206, respectively. Junior Katlyn Hudson (Columbus, Ind.) boasts the most digs on the team heading into Saturday's match with 146 total and 3.48 per match, while Lelm leads the way in total block with 90, 13 solo and 25 assists.
Scouting The Opponent:
Morehead State (11-6, 3-0 OVC): The Eagles are currently undefeated in the OVC and are fresh off of a 3-1 victory at Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night. Since starting the season at 2-6, Morehead State has won nine consecutive matches and has not lost since Sep. 5 at Marshall. Senior Ellie Roberson (Louisville, Ky.) currently averages an OVC-high 3.95 kills per set, while senior Annie Gruenschlaeger (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) leads the Eagles in hitting percentage at 3.10. Gruenschlaeger also sports a team high 1.24 blocks per set, while junior Leslie Schellhaas (Edgewood, Ky.) leads the way in digs with 4.74 per set.
The Series: The Eagles currently lead the all-time series 37-26 and also lead the Racers 20-8 at Wetherby Gym in Morehead. Morehead State has won the last seven meetings between the two schools. MSU has not beaten Morehead since the semifinals of the 2008 OVC tournament, when the Racers, won 3-1. Murray State notched its last win at Wetherby earlier that same year when it won in five sets on Nov. 7.
Panda Power: Emily Schmahl will reunite with former Notre Dame Academy teammates on Saturday, as Morehead State senior Caitlin Clark and junior Leslie Schellhaas also played for the Pandas. Those three make up 10 former Pandas that have gone on to play collegiate volleyball in the past four years, eight of which are still playing. Senior Jenna Schriever has helped lead Northern Kentucky to a successful start in Division I, while classmate Bree Popham plays for Division II Adelphi. Junior Morgan Ebner currently plays for division II Quincy, while freshmen Shelby Reid and Schellhaas' younger sister, Kristen, currently play for NAIA-power Georgetown (Ky.)
Adding To The Trophy Case: Several Racers have racked up honors this season for their performances in early season tournaments. Taylor Olden received All-Tournament honors for her performance at both the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Highlander Invitational and West Virginia's Gold & Blue Classic, while Emily Schmahl was named to the Hyatt Place Fort Wayne/IPFW Invitational All-Tournament Squad. After capturing the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Highlander Invitational tournament championship as a team, Lia Havili was named as the event's most valuable player.
Can't Make It To Morehead?: There are two ways to follow all OVC matches away from the friendly confines of Racer Arena this season. Both live stats and live video, courtesy of the OVC digital network, will be available for away OVC matches this season and both options are free to all fans. Live Stats vs. Morehead State OVC Digital Network
What's Next: The Racers will return to Racer Arena on Tuesday for their final non-conference match of the season, a 7 p.m., face-off with Southern Illinois.
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