MURRAY, Ky. – Ella Scott recorded a career-best 18 kills on a .739 hitting percentage Saturday evening, but host Murray State defeated Indiana State in four sets (25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 25-21) inside Racer Arena.
 
Karinna Gall and Kira Holland added 10 kills apiece for the Sycamores, while Avery Hales dished out 46 assists in her first career start. Holland, Macy Lengacher and Asia Povlin each had nine digs in the match.
 
Kills by Madisen Perry and Emma Kaelin opened the match for the Sycamores, and back-to-back kills from Scott kept the Trees in front early in the first set. An 11-3 scoring run for the Racers proved to be the difference in the opening set, as Murray State took the first set 25-17 despite a pair of late kills from Scott.
 
Back-to-back service aces from Kaelin helped Indiana State jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the second set, and a pair of kills from Gall saw the Sycamore lead sit at 10-8 midway through. Perry tacked on two more kills following the media timeout, and Scott added two more kills late in the set, but Murray State took the second set 25-20.
 
Two aces from Hales, along with kills by Scott and Perry, saw Indiana State take a 5-4 lead early in third set. Back-to-back kills from Holland, along with a block assist by Hales and Scott, extended the Sycamore advantage to 13-9, and Scott and Perry both tacked on to the lead with kills. Murray State rallied back to tie the set, but Holland put the Sycamores in front for good in the set with a kill. Service aces from Scott and Hales closed out a 25-22 third set win for the Blue and White.
 
Kills from Scott and Holland opened up the fourth set for the Sycamores, but Indiana State faced an early 5-2 deficit. Gall put down back-to-back kills, and a three-point run on Povlin's serve saw the Sycamores even the set at 10-apiece. Murray State went on a run to take an 18-14 lead, but back-to-back kills from Scott got Indiana State within one at 19-18. A pair of late kills from Holland kept the Sycamores alive, but Murray State held on to take the fourth set 25-21, clinching the match.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Avery Hales started her first career match Saturday, finishing with 46 assists, five digs, three kills and three aces.
• Ella Scott's 18 kills came on 23 attempts, with just one attack error.
• Madisen Perry's eight kills were her most in an Indiana State uniform.
• Asia Povlin registered a career-best nine digs Saturday.

 
News and Notes

• Saturday's match was the second of four straight on the road for Indiana State. The Sycamores previously played Belmont and will continue their road trip with matches against Missouri State and Southern Illinois.
• Indiana State's .247 hitting percentage was the Sycamores' best in a loss this season.
• Indiana State recorded double-digit aces for the third time this season Saturday, finishing with 10 aces in the match.

 
Up Next
Indiana State's four-match road trip concludes next week with matches at Missouri State (Sept. 29) and Southern Illinois (Sept. 30).
 
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