University of Evansville Athletics

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ending the game with 20 kills apiece, Alondra Vazquez and Giulia Cardona were the class of the field in Friday night's match that saw the University of Evansville volleyball team earn a 3-1 victory over Murray State.

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Box Score

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Vazquez added 9 digs while Cardona recorded 9 digs and 8 block assists.  Emilee Scheumann tallied six kills while Madisyn Steele added four.  Kora Ruff put together a stellar stat line that saw her finish with 39 assists, 9 digs, 4 block assists and 3 service aces.  Hannah Watkins paced UE with 9 block assists while Blakeley Freeman had a match-high 13 digs.
 
Set 1 – UE 25, MSU 23
Vazquez led the Purple Aces with five digs and six kills to start the game, while Cardona racked up five digs and five kills. Ruff also had a great showing, posting seven digs. Scheumann had two kills. Both teams put up a commendable fight, with ten tie scores and five lead changes. The teams battled from start to finish but a decisive stretch came when Evansville turned an 18-18 tie into a 20-18 lead.  The Racers responded to tie it at 23-23 before the Aces fended off the challenge to win by a score of 25-23.
 
Set 2 – UE 25, MSU 10
The Purple Aces jumped out to an early lead at 4-1, staying up on Murray State throughout the entirety of the set. Up 7-5, the Aces reeled off seven points in a row with Laura Ruiz contributing consecutive service aces.  UE extended the lead to double figures at 19-9 before cruising to the 25-10 victory.  Ruff added a pair of aces in the final three points.
 
Set 3 – MSU 26, UE 24
Murray State used a 4-0 run to open a 12-8 advantage to force an Evansville time out.  The Aces rallied to tie the score at 19-19 and set up an exciting finish.  Trailing 22-21, Evansville scored three in a row with Cardona adding a kill that set up match point.  The Racers had a final run left in them, embarking on a 4-0 run to force a fourth set.
 
Set 4 – UE 25, MSU 15
With the score tied at 4-4, UE changed the course of the set, scoring five in a row with Blakely Freeman picking up an ace. After the Racers cut their deficit to 13-9, the home team gradually extended their lead, defeating Murray State with a 25-15 victory in the final set. 
 
On Saturday, the Aces welcome Belmont for a 5 p.m. contest.