FINAL STATS

MURRAY, Ky. – The Gamecocks' offense came alive in the fifth set on Friday night, when the Jacksonville State volleyball team held off Murray State for a 3-2 (25-20, 25-23, 16-25, 13-25, 15-12) win in Ohio Valley Conference action.

The Gamecocks (9-7, 4-1 OVC) hit .323 in the final set to hang on for their fourth-straight win. After dropping the first two sets, the Racers (6-10, 2-3 OVC) won the next two convincingly to force the deciding fifth set. Jax State has now won its last 15 matches that have reached a fifth set, including three in the last eight days.

Senior Caitlin Vorbeck rattled off 21 kills on a .340 attack percentage to lead a group of four players in double figures in the kills category. The Raytown, Mo., native committed just five errors on 47 attacks, while also picking up five digs and blocking three MSU attacks.

Sophomore Jen Meyer added 14 kills and three blocks, while senior Kara Slater also blocked three attempts to go along with her 12 kills. Sophomore Alyx Schulte wrapped up the foursome of JSU players in double figures with 10 kills, while also grabbing eight digs.

Junior Lauren Harkins, the OVC's reigning Defensive Player of the Week, led all players with 29 digs, while freshman Kelly Cole added 13. Senior Brooke Schumacher dished 44 of the Gamecocks' 57 assists in the win.

Murray State's Jade Guo notched a triple-double in the loss, thanks to 39 assists, 14 digs and 11 kills. The Racers got 21 kills from Ashley Nenninger, while Becca Lamb pitched in 11. Lamb's 18 digs gave her a double-double and led a group of four Racers in double figures.

The Gamecocks will be back in action on Saturday, when they face UT Martin at 2 p.m. in Martin ,Tenn.