MURRAY, Ky. – SIUE volleyball came up short in a four-set loss at Murray State Friday night.

SIUE fell to 7-11 overall and 3-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 25-15, 25-10, 17-25, 25-23 loss to Murray State. The Racers improved to 4-13 overall and 2-5 in the OVC.

"It's the nature of going on the road," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson. "It's difficult to demonstrate how strong a team will be on its home court."

SIUE middle hitters Kelsey Augustine and Kristen Torre led the Cougars with 10 kills each.

Murray State swept the first two sets before yielding a third set to the Cougars. Taylor Olden led the Racers with 16 kills followed by 14 from Emily Schmahl.

Johnson said she was pleased to see freshman Leslie Lindsey step up as the right side hitter in place of an injured Brianne Graunke. Lindsey finished with a .200 hitting percentage and six kills.

SIUE doubled its offensive output in the third set. After recording 14 kills in the first two sets total, SIUE collected 15 kills in set three led by six from Torre.

The Cougars added 16 more kills in the fourth set but were held off by the Racers.

Johnson said the team needed more offense from its outside hitters. Chelsea Colclasure led the defense with a match-high 22 digs. Murray State countered with five players who had double-digit digs, including 19 from Jodie Klein.

SIUE continues this road trip with a 2 p.m. match Saturday against Austin Peay.