WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The No. 21 Boilermakers concluded the first day of the Stacey Clark Classic by taking down Murray State in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-19), Friday night. With victory, Purdue improves to 7-1 overall and a five-match winning streak.
Sophomore Grace Cleveland paced the squad with 10 kills, followed by redshirt senior Blake Mohler and junior Caitlyn Newton with eight daggers apiece.
Redshirt sophomore Hayley Bush was tight in the middle, handing out 31 assists, while junior Jena Otec directed the back row with 16 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (25-19) | The teams were evenly matched, tying the opening frame 11 times with four lead changes. Knotted at 16, a kill from senior Shavona Cuttino capitalized on a pair of Boilermaker blocks for a 20-16 Purdue lead. The Boilermakers closed out the stanza on a Mohler and Bush block.
SET 2 (25-22) | The second frame started much like the first as the teams traded points. Tied at 18, three-consecutive Racer miscues gave the Boilermakers some breathing room. Holding a slim edge at 22-21, the Boilermakers collected their last three points on a Cleveland ace and a Mohler solo block and kill.
SET 3 (25-19) | Staying consistent, the Boilermakers and the Racers tied through the first 14 points. Purdue finally got ahead 14-8, forcing Murray State to call a timeout. Back on the court, the Racers used a 6-1 run to cut the margin to 15-14. Purdue kept a persistent Murray State at bay with seven kills, including two from freshman Emma Ellis, for a 25-19 victory.
UP NEXT
Purdue closes out the Stacey Clark Classic with a matchup against Eastern Michigan. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. ET.
Sophomore Grace Cleveland paced the squad with 10 kills, followed by redshirt senior Blake Mohler and junior Caitlyn Newton with eight daggers apiece.
Redshirt sophomore Hayley Bush was tight in the middle, handing out 31 assists, while junior Jena Otec directed the back row with 16 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (25-19) | The teams were evenly matched, tying the opening frame 11 times with four lead changes. Knotted at 16, a kill from senior Shavona Cuttino capitalized on a pair of Boilermaker blocks for a 20-16 Purdue lead. The Boilermakers closed out the stanza on a Mohler and Bush block.
SET 2 (25-22) | The second frame started much like the first as the teams traded points. Tied at 18, three-consecutive Racer miscues gave the Boilermakers some breathing room. Holding a slim edge at 22-21, the Boilermakers collected their last three points on a Cleveland ace and a Mohler solo block and kill.
SET 3 (25-19) | Staying consistent, the Boilermakers and the Racers tied through the first 14 points. Purdue finally got ahead 14-8, forcing Murray State to call a timeout. Back on the court, the Racers used a 6-1 run to cut the margin to 15-14. Purdue kept a persistent Murray State at bay with seven kills, including two from freshman Emma Ellis, for a 25-19 victory.
UP NEXT
Purdue closes out the Stacey Clark Classic with a matchup against Eastern Michigan. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. ET.