Racers to Open 2025 Campaign at Stacheville Challenge

Friday, August 29

Clarksville, TN

1 p.m.

Murray State

Austin Peay

8/28/2025 3:04:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Murray State to face Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, Xavier

By: Charlie Williams

Dates (Times): August 29 (1 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. CT), August 30 (11 a.m.CT)

Site (Venue): Clarksville, Tenn.

Opponents: Austin Peay Governors, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Xavier Musketeers

Live Stats: GoRacers.com

Streaming: ESPN+

Murray State Volleyball is set to open the 2025 season with matches against Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, and Xavier this weekend in Clarksville, Tenn. at the Stacheville Challenge.

Friday's season opener against Austin Peay will mark the 87th all-time match between the former OVC rivals, and the first since 2021. The all-time series is currently tied 43-43. The Racers will face another former OVC rival in Tennessee Tech, also for the first time since 2021. Murray State leads the all-time series over the Golden Eagles 43-26. Saturday's match will be the fourth all-time match against Big East foe Xavier, a series the Musketeers lead 2-1, with the most recent match being in 2009.

Coach David Schwepker enters the 2025 season at the helm of a young Murray State squad, looking to make a leap in their third season of MVC competition. After going 14-14 (9-9 MVC) in 2024, the 2025 Racers feature a mix of productive returners and new talent.

Senior outside hitter Ella Vogel started all 28 matches for the Navy & Gold in 2024, leading the team with 431 kills on the year and an average of 3.92 per set, third best in the MVC. The Cape Girardeau, Mo. native appeared on the preseason All-MVC team after appearing on the 2024 MVC First-Team and being named to the Scholar Athlete Second-Team in 2023 and 2024. Vogel also led the team with 69.0 blocks, and her fellow senior Haidi Miliou was second on the team with 64.0.

The Racers return another senior starter in Federica Nuccio, who started all 28 matches last season and averaged 2.00 kills per set with 216 on the year. Junior Lily Burnett was another leader for the 2024 Racer offense, averaging 2.47 kills per set with 237 on the year. Morgan McClure returns for her senior season after totaling 67.0 points, 41 kills, and 42.0 total blocks in her first season in the Navy & Gold.

Freshman additions Halle Forester and Samantha Nelson will look to replace the outgoing Dahlia Miller at libero, while Katie Titus and Elita Foti look to replace all-time assist leader Bailey DeMier at the setter position. Fellow freshmen Burcu Gulomur, Mija Pristovnik, and Anne Makowski will also look to contribute at the middle blocker and outside hitter positions.

Austin Peay is coming off a challenging 2024 season that saw them go 2-26 and just 1-15 in ASUN play. First-year head coach Evan Amstutz will look to right the ship with a roster that features just one returner, six freshmen, and nine transfers. The newcomers are highlighted by FIU transfer Gianna Tagoa'i, who was a member of the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2023.

Tennessee Tech is coming off a 2024 season that saw them finish 24-8 (12-6 OVC), with their season coming to an end in the semifinals of the OVC Tournament. Head coach Jeannette Phillips returns several impact players for her seventh year at the helm of the Golden Eagles, including sophomore Alayna Pierce, as she comes off of an all-conference season that saw her post 308 kills, 261 digs, and 23 blocks. They also feature several newcomers, including freshman Jordyn Milhouse, who was selected as an OVC Player to Watch.

Xavier went 10-18 (8-10) in 2024, head coach Christy Pfeffenberger's 10th season at the helm of the Musketeers. Picked seventh in the Big East Preseason Poll, the Musketeers return much of their production from a season ago, including sophomore Margo Kemp, who was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big East Team after being named Big East Co-Freshman of the Year in 2024. They also return Anna Taylor and Emma Grace, who led the team with 292 and 291 kills last season.

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