RESULTS

Murray State 3, Saint Louis 1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-18, 25-16)

UNLV 3, Saint Louis 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-16)

Billiken Invitational

Saturday, Sept. 15 | St. Louis, Mo. (Chaifetz Pavilion)

THE BASICS

• Saint Louis concluded play in its final regular-season tournament of the year, the Billiken Invitational, with losses to Murray State and UNLV on Saturday.

• Maya Taylor was named to the All-Tournament team. Taylor averaged 3.64 kills per set and added 15 digs and four service aces.

Murray State Match

FIRST SET

Murray State scored three straight points following a 1-1 tie and led the rest of the way. Saint Louis used a 9-4 run to narrow an eight-point deficit to three, 19-16, before Murray State regained control with a 3-0 spurt.

SECOND SET

This time, it was the Billikens who gained the early upper hand and held it. SLU tallied four straight points for a 4-1 advantage and went on to lead by seven, 22-15. The Racers rallied with an 8-2 run before the Bills won the set and evened the match.

THIRD SET

There were four ties and four lead changes early in the frame. Murray State's 10-3 flurry following a 6-6 deadlock gave the Racers a commanding lead, and the margin remained at five or more points the rest of the way.

FOURTH SET

Murray State went on a 5-0 run after the set was tied for a sixth time at 7-7. Saint Louis notched six of the next eight points to make it 14-13, but the Racers pulled away down the stretch.

NOTABLE

• Lauren Mershon compiled a .563 attack percentage, swatting 10 kills with just one error in 16 attempts. Mershon also had a match-high five blocks.

• Maya Taylor just missed a double-double with 12 kills (team high) and nine digs.

• Cayce Chaykowsky led all players with 17 digs.

• Kennedy Cordia contributed 35 assists and seven digs.

• Sien Gallop turned in eight kills and nine digs.

• Sara Daniels posted six kills and three blocks.

UNLV Match

FIRST SET

UNLV went in front for good, 3-2, and gradually built its lead to 22-14. Saint Louis charged back, however, and closed the gap to 24-22 before the Rebels clinched the set.

SECOND SET

SLU held several early one-point leads, the last a 7-6 edge. But UNLV caught fire and closed the frame with a 19-7 run to take a 2-0 match lead.

THIRD SET

After the Billikens grabbed a 4-2 advantage, the Rebels took the lead for good with four straight points. SLU kept UNLV within reach, however, and trailed just 11-10 as the set approached the midway point. But the Rebels created momentum with a 3-0 spurt and went on to win the set, match and tournament championship.

NOTABLE

• Taylor hit .385, nailing 13 kills with just three errors in 26 attempts, and had two service aces.

• Cordia had a team-high seven digs and two service aces.

• Mershon posted three blocks.

UP NEXT

The Billikens begin Atlantic 10 Conference play on the road next weekend, taking on George Washington and George Mason Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21-22.