JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State volleyball gave the top team in the Ohio Valley Conference all it wanted Friday night, before falling to Murray State (25-20, 16-25, 17-25, 20-25).
 
The Gamecocks (12-18, 2-9 OVC) won the opening set of the night over the Racers (20-2, 10-1 OVC), but were unable to completely knock off a squad who earlier this season had a 16-game win streak.
 
"We played really hard tonight," said head coach Terry Gamble. "That effort would've beaten a lot of teams."
 
Sophomore Charis Ludtke was the only Gamecock to finish with double digit kills, ending the night with 12. Freshman Mackenzie Rombach hit a team-best .300 while finishing with eight putaways. Sophomore Jennifer Hart dished 29 of JSU's 31 total assists in the setback.
 
Sophomore Hannah Kirk's 12 digs on the defensive side led the way against a powerful offensive attack team. Hart had nine digs, while Ludtke and sophomore Allyson Zuhlke each had six. Zuhlke also had three kills behind only Rombach, who finished with four, include three solos.
 
Senior Emily Rutherford's kill to break a 3-3 tie in the first set began a 7-2 run for JSU. The lead was stretched to six, 18-12, forcing a timeout from the visiting Racers. MSU trimmed the lead to just two late, 22-20, before a big kill by Zuhlke pushed momentum back to JSU. The Gamecocks took the final points of the frame winning 25-20.
 
Looking to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time all season, MSU responded with a strong start to the second set. The Racers opened a 13-5 advantage en route to their largest margin of victory of the night, 25-16. The Racers hit a match-best .464 combined in the second on their way to tying the match.
 
MSU followed up the second with another big hitting performance in the third. Hart dumped a ball over the net to pull JSU within one, 7-6, but from that point MSU would slowly pull away. JSU's sub-.100 attack percentage was too much to overcome against such a quality opponent.
 
In the fourth set, the defending conference champions again hit above .400 for the second time of the evening. However, Jax State fought tough with a .346 mark of its own. A quick start leading to a 7-2 advantage for MSU proved to be the difference as the final score resembled the same margin, 25-20. JSU came within three, 22-19, following a Ludtke kill, but couldn't get any closer.
 
"Tonight was one of our best games," added Gamble. "We ball-controlled better than most nights, and it gave us a chance to win."
 
The Gamecocks turn around and resume OVC action tomorrow night at The Pete with a 7 p.m. match against Austin Peay. Only five games remain on the schedule - four at home - as JSU tries to make it back to postseason play for the second-consecutive year. Live stats will be available for Saturday's Halloween contest at JSUGamecockSports.com.