MURRAY, Ky. – SIUE and Murray State split the season volleyball series as the Racers defended their home turf in a three-set victory over the Cougars.

Murray State, now 13-11 overall and 3-7 in the OVC, won the match 26-24, 25-16, 27-25. SIUE fell to 9-14 and 5-5 in the OVC. SIUE had defeated Murray State eight days ago at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars now return home for five consecutive home matches beginning next Friday against Southeast Missouri at 7 p.m.

"It will be exciting to be back at home," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson.

The Cougars will have no easy matches during the homestand. Johnson said the team just needs to be efficient, play with a good rhythm, and get off to a good start."

That was the problem Saturday for the Cougars.

"It's a matter of being ready to go at the start," said Johnson. "We're not playing hard until the match is on the line."

Cori Harris powered SIUE's offense with 13 kills and one error for a team-leading .375 hitting percentage. Freshmen outside hitters Alicia Streetar and Taylor Held added nine and eight kills, respectively, as the Cougars outmatched Murray State in kills 43-40.

Scottie Ingram stepped up for the Racers with 11 kills. Murray State's defense, also ranked in the top 10 nationally in digs, kept points alive all day long behind 19 digs from Ellie Lorenz.

In each last four matches, SIUE has played extra points to determine a set winner six times, including twice at Murray State. The Cougars were able to make comebacks but were unable to close out the sets.

"We were out of sync from the beginning," Johnson noted. "The whole match felt disconnected. Murray State did a good job of holding the pressure on us."