By: Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech Volleyball Team (6-19, 4-8 OVC) put up a fight against the No. 1 in the OVC Murray State (21-2, 11-1 OVC), however, the Racers beat out the Golden Eagles three sets to one. Murray took winning set scores of 22-25, 25-12, 25-22, and 25-19.

"We played well, but had a few dips where we were not communicating," Golden Eagle Alyssa Povey said. "It made a big difference though when the bench and everyone on the court was cheering to help push us through our lulls."

The first set was full of excitement for Tech. Murray State took the early set lead opening with a seven-point lead at 14-7. However, the Golden Eagles were determined to show the No. 1 team in the conference why they are a contender and went on a 6-0 run to pull within one at 14-13, causing the Racers to call for a timeout. Out of the break Tech tied the match at 14-14 with a kill from Cody Dodd. Murray State took a slight two-point lead at 16-14, however, Tech got on the attack and went on a 6-1 run to pull ahead 20-17 due to five kills from Dodd and a service ace from Kirsten Brugere. The Racers tried to recover their deficit and battled back within two at 24-22, however, the Golden Eagles were not phased and closed out the first set with a 25-22 victory and a kill from Alyssa Povey.

"The first set really showed that Murray couldn't get away with not playing their best," head coach Dave Zelenock remarked. "They sat some players in the beginning and then brought them out in the second set and it made it much more of a game."

In the second, Murray State came out strong opening with a 10-6 lead and a Racer kill from Alyssa Lelm. Tech pulled within two at 12-10 with a kill from Dodd, however, Murray State held strong and went on a 4-2 run to extend their lead 16-12. From there, the Racers cruised to a second set victory on a 9-0 run, 25-12, while only committing three errors in the set.

Murray State continued to dominate going into the third set, opening with a 9-3 lead over Tech. The Racers continued to lead in the set taking a seven point lead at 17-10. The Golden Eagles battled to come within two points at 18-16 with kills from Povey, Dodd, and Shealene Little. Tech and Murray State then held a close match, with the Racers holding the one-point lead at 23-22, before edging out a third set victory 25-22, to lead the Golden Eagles two sets to one.

A 9-5 lead for Murray State opened fourth set play. The Golden Eagles took advantage of a Racer attack error to pull within three at 11-8. However, Murray State then went on a 7-2 run to take an eight-point lead at 18-10. Tech refused to relent and went on a 8-1 run to pull within one at 19-18, and causing the Racers take a timeout. After the break, Murray State regrouped and sailed to a fourth set and match victory 25-19.

"She battled through," Zelenock remarked on an injured Sharon Anderson. "I'm sure Sharon could barely lift her shoulder, but she kept fighting and hopefully this week break will allow her and some of our other players the time to recover."

Dodd led the Golden Eagles in the match with a solid 22 kills and 23 digs (a career-high) for her 14th double-double of the season. Anderson put up 27 assists and 14 digs in the match for her 12th double-double, while Kennedy led the Tech with 25 digs. Scottie Ingram led the Racers with 16 kills and 20 digs.

"This was a good weekend for us to go into next week against Tennessee State and Belmont," Povey continued. "We will be on our home turf and have the support of our fans and friends and it will be great battle with a home court advantage."

The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday, November 6, when they host conference-opponent Tennessee State at 7 p.m. in the Eblen Center.