EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.  -  Despite a valiant defensive effort, SIUE volleyball fell to Murray State in five sets on Friday night (25-23, 15-25, 19-15, 26-24, 11-15).

The first set saw both squads trade points, but even an outstanding eight total blocks from the Cougars proved to be the difference as the hosts would secure a highly-competitive opening set. However, it would be all Racers in the second and third set, as the visitors hit .520 in the second set and .333 in the third to claim a pair of convincing set victories and go up 2-1 heading into the fourth. The Cougars would not leave quietly, registering a match-high 16 kills and hitting for a team-best .318 to secure the fourth set win and send the contest to a decisive fifth. Despite holding the Racers to their lowest hitting percentage of the night, the Red & White's own offensive woes proved costly and saw the Cougars surrender the match.

As a team, the Cougars registered a season-best 18 total blocks in the match while also recording five service aces. Three Cougars reached double-digit kills on the night - Annie Ellis, who led SIUE with 12, followed closely by Julia Treichel's 11 and Ainsley Ranstead with 10. Ellis hit .300 in the match and notched an outstanding 11 block assists in the five-set match. Ranstead led the Cougars with a hitting percentage of .409. Alyse Drifka led the Cougars with 21 assists, with Grace Beekman not too far behind with 19 to her credit. Nicole Kijowski led the Red & White with 18 digs on the night.

With tonight's loss and a 3-1 win for Eastern Illinois over Austin Peay, SIUE is eliminated from 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball Championship contention. The Cougars will honor five seniors tomorrow at 2 p.m., when the Red & White close out the 2021 season with a rematch against Murray State.