Box Score
Box Score (PDF)
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Ellie Roberson and
Kaitlin Craven led the third-seeded Morehead State Eagles to a 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-17) victory over sixth-seeded Eastern Kentucky Thursday night in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball Tournament. It marked MSU's eighth consecutive victory over its in-state rival and secured the fourth straight 20-win season for the MSU program.
MSU (20-10) jumped out to an 8-2 lead in set one behind three kills from Roberson, two kills from Craven and a solo block from
Emma Keough. EKU (10-19) was able to close the score to 17-12 but the Eagles took control from there, scoring eight of the next 11 points to win the set 25-15. Roberson and Craven dominated throughout the set and tallying eight and seven kills respectively. Roberson hit .800 on 10 swings in the stanza while Craven hit .583 on 12 attempts.
The Colonels were able to build a 6-4 lead early in set two before MSU went on a 14-3 point run that included two aces from
Liz Schuler and four kills from Roberson and three kills from Craven. The Eagles then closed out set two 25-18. Roberson totaled seven more kills in the second set while Craven recorded five.
MSU trailed throughout the early goings of the third set and were down 16-13 before turning in a 5-0 run to take a 18-16 lead. The run included another ace from Schuler and two more kills from Craven. EKU then battled back to tie the game at 18 apiece. From there the two rivals traded points before EKU was able to take a 24-23 advantage. The Colonels would go on to claim the third set. The Eagles were led in the set by four kills from Keough, Roberson and Craven. Craven also recorded two service aces in the set.
The fourth set featured more close early action from the two teams, before MSU was able to gain some separation and build a 16-12 lead. The Eagles then used two kills and block assists from
Annie Gruenschlaeger and Craven to stretch the lead to 22-15. The teams then traded points to 24-17 Gruenschlaeger and Roberson combined on a block for the match point. Gruenschlaeger totaled five kills and two block assists in the set, while Keough tallied four additional kills.
For the match, Roberson totaled a match and career high 22 kills on .289 hitting, while Craven tallied a season best 18 kills on .366 hitting, three aces and 20 digs. Senior libero
Kristina Schoo recorded 34 digs to lead the defensive effort. That total ties her own mark of 34 set in 2007 which ranked as the seventh best match in school history. Her career high is 37. Her efforts led to the Eagles coming up with a season high 86 digs. Setter
Kirstie Brangers tallied 52 assists.
The Eagles advance to face the second-seeded Austin Peay Lady Govs tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. EDT.