DES MOINES, Iowa. – The Drake volleyball team added a tally to its conference win column for the first time this season as it defeated Murray State in a clean sweep, 3-0, from the Knapp Center on Friday night.
 
The Bulldogs were out to a fast start in the first set of the night as a 7-0 run propelled them to an early 12-4 lead. Kacia Brown and Macy Daufeldt were featured early and often during that run as the duo combined for three kills and a service ace. The momentum stayed with the Bulldogs as the set moved along and Drake went up double-digits, 16-6, following a solo block from Bliss Beck. The Racers made a small run towards the end of the set to cut into the Drake lead at 22-15, but the Bulldogs immediately responded with a 3-0 run of their own to close out the set, 25-15.
 
In set two, another run from the Bulldogs in the early goings pushed them ahead, 9-4, as it took advantage of some attack errors by the Racers. Just past the halfway point in the frame, Drake doubled up Murray State on the scoreboard, 14-7, following a kill from Brown. The Racers, however, pulled within three points at the 15-12 mark as they scored four straight, including back-to-back service aces, which forced a timeout from the Bulldogs. When play resumed, the two sides traded points the remainder of the set with the Bulldogs never relinquishing their lead to win the frame, 25-20.
 
For the first time in the match Drake found itself facing a deficit as it went down 9-4 in the third set. After the Bulldogs called a timeout, they were able to pull within one of the Racers getting kills from Katie Quick and Brown to make the score 10-9. The Racers had an answer, though and rallied off four quick scores to gain some separation, 14-9. The Bulldogs faced their biggest deficit of the night at 19-12, but then rallied with an incredible 8-0 run to jump ahead of Murray State, 20-19. Once again Brown and Daufeldt were leading the charge racking up multiple kills during the scoring run. With its newly found momentum, it wasn't long after that Drake would go on another run, this time a 4-0 scoring burst, to win the set, 25-21, and secure the sweep.
 
"It was great tonight to get to be here at home and to get this first conference win," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "We've had a really challenging non-conference schedule and then to roll right into some of the best teams in the Valley has been a rough patch, so to get this win tonight was a good start for us as we continue conference play.
 
"I think our players did a really great job in the first couple sets of keeping our errors really low and forcing Murray State to really earn their points. No match in the Valley is easy, so we'll have to have our best next weekend as well. Thank you to all the fans as it was a great fan base tonight and hope they can make it back out next weekend."
 
Brown tallied the most kills on the night for Drake just edging out Daufeldt for the team lead with 14 kills, while Daufeldt had 13. Defensively, the duo played their part as Brown totaled eight digs and three blocks with Daufeldt collecting 12 digs and two blocks. Quick, the local product from Ankeny, led the Bulldogs with 20 assists and Addison Beagle chipped in with 11 helpers of her own. Gabbie Schroeder tallied 13 digs for the most on the Blue and White.
 
As part of the match against Murray State, tonight was Drake Relays Night at volleyball, which provided a special event of appreciation for the volunteers and officials who play a vital role in the success of the Relays each year.
 
This celebration is a way to say thank you to the individuals who ensure that America's Athletic Classic continues to thrive and remain one of the premier track & field events in the world.
 
The Bulldogs will remain at home next weekend for its next pair of matches as they host Bradley on Friday, Oct. 10 and Evansville the following night on Oct. 11.