Volleyball Still in Sun Belt Tourney Hunt with Win

Friday, November 14

Murfreesboro, TN

7:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Louisiana-Lafayette

Photo by: MT

11/14/2003 11:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: MT Media Relations

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee volleyball (14-17, 5-8 Sun Belt) moved closer to a Sun Belt Conference Tournament berth with a 3-1 (26-30, 30-28, 30-21, 30-21) win over Louisiana-Lafayette (6-21, 2-12 SBC) Friday in Alumni Memorial Gym.

The Lady Raiders are currently in a three-way tie with New Orleans and Florida International for the final two spots in the Sun Belt Tournament.

After dropping game one, in which the Lady Raiders could only muster a .108 hitting percentage, Middle Tennessee came alive and took the remaining three games. Dara McLean's hot streak in the second game propelled the team to the win and continued the tough play through the rest of the match.

"Our scoring streak, with Dara's help was huge for the team," said head coach Lisa Kissee. "Her hitting, especially in game five, was the best I have seen in the last five matches."

Junior outside hitter KeKe Deckard led three Lady Raiders who scored in double figures as she recorded her 11th 20 plus kill match and her fifth consecutive. Senior Karisse Baker and junior Dara McLean each added 11 kills in the match and setter Goldie Bilyeu had 49 assists.

The Lady Raiders close out the regular season by hosting Sun Belt East Regular Season Champions Western Kentucky Sunday at noon. It is senior day and Baker and LaToya Brown will be honored prior to the match.