The Eastern volleyball team opened up conference play over the weekend against Murray State, dropping a pair of road matches to the Racers.

The Panthers dropped to 7-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play. 

The Racers, who came into the match leading the nation in kills per set, is one of three OVC teams to start out 2-0 this season. 

The Racers came out strong in the opening match Friday evening, winning the first two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-15. 

The Panthers came closer in the third set, falling 25-21. 

Eastern increased its hitting percentage each set, going from .067 to .100 to .171. The Racers did the opposite, with their hitting percentage dropping from .391 to . 303 to .206. 

Outside hitter Ireland Hieb led the team with 9 kills while hitting .300 in the match. 

For Murray State, outside hitter Brooke Watts led the way with 13 kills. Watts leads the nation this year in kills per set. 

Racer libero Becca Fernandez had a game-high 17 digs in the match. She is fourth in the nation in digs per set. 

In the second match Saturday afternoon, Murray State won 25-21, 25-21 and 25-17. 

Watts had 13 kills again in the match, and is now averaging 5.81 kills per set this season. 

This team Eastern was led by outside hitter Ella Collins with 10 kills and outside hitter Danielle Allen with 8 kills. 

Eastern will be back on the road next weekend for two matches against Tennessee-Martin. 

The Skyhawks split a pair of matches with Belmont to open the OVC season and are scheduled to play a midweek conference match against Southeast Missouri on Wednesday. 

The Skyhawks are currently ranked last in the OVC in hitting percentage and eighth in kills per set. 

Eastern is ranked fifth in hitting percentage and seventh in kills. 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].