RICHMOND, Ky. - With four players tallying double-figure kills, the Eastern Kentucky volleyball team defeated Murray State 3-1 (30-21, 22-30, 30-19, 30-28) tonight at McBrayer Arena. The Colonels win their fourth consecutive conference match and improve to 13-12, 6-5 in the OVC while the Races drop to 16-5, 8-3 in the league.

Senior Jessica Sabath led the Colonels with 18 kills and added 20 kills. Sophomore Bridget Mustard tallied 15 kills with a staggering .412 hitting percentage, while junior Brittany Nobilio added her fourth 30+ kill match with a contest-high 35. In addition, senior Kelly Jennings finished with a double-double off 62 assists and 25 kills.

Following a 7-7 tie in game one, Eastern Kentucky outscored Murray State 11-5 and built an 18-12 advantage before the Racers called a timeout. Murray State fought back, cutting the deficit to one with a service ace from Alyssa Groves before the Colonels rattled off four unanswered points with a pair of kills from Sabath and two Racer errors. Nobilio served the Colonels' final three points as Eastern took the victory with consecutive kills from senior Kasha Brozek.

After nine ties to open game two, the Racers pulled in front, taking a 20-13 lead, before Eastern Kentucky got within three points (20-17) off a kill from Mustard. Murray State ended the match with a trio of kills to take the eight-point win.

The Colonels fell behind early in the third set but took a lead (7-6) they wouldn't relinquish with a Racer attack error. Eastern used a 14-9 scoring run to put the game away in the 30-19 win, the most lopsided score of the match.

Both teams battled in game four, with 14 tie scores, the final coming at 26. Murray State twice built three-point leads, including one late in the game at 23-20, but the Colonels did not back down. Holding a one-point lead (29-28), senior Denise Grundhoefer's kill gave Eastern Kentucky the win in a crucial conference match.

Senior Holly Jansen led the visitors with a match-high 19 kills and sophomore Heather Norris ended with 28 digs.

The Colonels host UT Martin on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in their final home match of the season. Eastern Kentucky's four seniors will be recognized prior to the contest.