Box Score Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – New head coach Manolo Concepcion and the Purple Aces volleyball team opened up the 2013 campaign in a great way, topping Murray State by a 3-0 final on Friday afternoon in the North Carolina Central Tournament.
 
"Our girls did a great job, efficiency and teamwork were the main things for us today," Concepcion said.  "We made very few mistakes and had some extended rallies.  I am very pleased with the results."

Senior Rachel TenHoor led everyone with 13 kills while hitting an impressive .571 in the win.  Meaghan Holmes recorded nine kills while Lauren Seyller tallied eight.  Jenn Murphy led everyone with 33 assists while fellow senior Katie Klages finished the day with 18 digs.  Ashley Ring registered seven kills and 12 digs.
 
Evansville got off to a quick start in the opening set, jumping out to an 11-5 lead as Seyller capped off the stretch with a kill.  The Racers fought back with a 13-6 rally as they took the lead at 18-17.  Emily Schmahl posted a pair of kills in the run.  The game was back and forth as a Alyssa Lelm kill gave Murray State a 24-23 lead.  With the set on the line, Evansville played the solid game that Concepcion talked about, forcing three MSU errors en route to a 26-24 win.
 
Set two was another close one that saw UE take the early lead once again as Seyller recorded two of her game-high five kills to give UE an 8-4 advantage.  Murray State rallied to tie it up as Taylor Olden's point made it a 12-12 game.
 
With the score knotted at 16-16, the Aces slowly cemented their 2-0 lead on the day.  Sophomore Stephanie Cerino and Seyller posted kills to give the Aces a lead they would not give up.  MSU got within a point at 19-18, but UE was able to hang on for a 25-22 win, taking advantage of an Olden error for the deciding point.
 
As they did in last year's match at the Carson Center, UE took a 2-0 lead and was able to finish the job in the third set to take the win.  A 2-2 game early saw Evansville score the next four before cruising to a 25-15 victory.  Another stretch, a 5-0 rally, gave the Aces a 14-7 edge before the final.  TenHoor was the star of the clincher as she led the way with seven kills to seal the win.
 
After taking care of business in the opener, UE will look for more on Saturday as the play a pair of matches to finish up the opening tournament.  That begins at 10 a.m. CT versus Hampton.  They will have very little rest before facing host North Carolina Central at approximately 12:30 p.m. CT.