Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Florida Atlantic
Blue Raiders Return Home for Key Weekend Series
10/12/2006 3:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After a two-week road swing, Middle Tennessee volleyball returns home for a six-match home stand that will have far-reaching implications for the rest of the Sun Belt season.
Middle Tennessee carries a 14-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the Sun Belt into a key weekend series.
The Blue Raiders face Florida Atlantic Friday at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Gym. Prior to moving to the Sun Belt, the Owls were the Atlantic Sun Champions and have a record of 7-11 and 4-4 in the SBC.
Sunday could prove to be the match for first place, as Middle Tennessee hosts Sun Belt East-leading Florida International. The Panthers boast an overall record of 17-4 and are 8-0 in the Sun Belt. The lead for the East, however, will all depend on how the Panthers and the Blue Raiders fair on Friday, as FIU plays at Western Kentucky.
"We have to make sure not to look past Florida Atlantic in our preparation for FIU," said Head Coach Matt Peck. "FAU is a good team who has been coming on strong as of late."
Middle Tennessee is looking to catch FIU out of its element, as six of its eight Sun Belt Conference wins have come on the Panthers' home court.
"It will be interesting to see how FIU plays on the road after so many matches at home," Peck said. "We generally play well at home as well, so the match should be a very good one."
Middle Tennessee has benefited from the strong play of freshman setter Leslie Clark. In matches last weekend against Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State, the Olathe, Kan., native had back-to-back career-setting assists marks with 56 against UALR and 57 against Arkansas State. She also recorded her first pair of double-doubles, as she notching double figure digs in both matches.
"Leslie doesn't play like a freshman, she has a lot of confidence on the court and is very poised," Peck said. "She brings a different dimension to the team and her defense has been outstanding."
Consistency is also a key for the Blue Raiders and they receive that thanks to the steady play of sophomore Ashley Adams. The outside hitter leads the club with 273 kills, averaging 4.07 kills per game. She ranks fourth in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage with at .329.
Some of the most impressive play of late has come from sophomore middle blocker Ashley Asberry. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native leads the team and the Sun Belt in blocks, averaging 1.40 per game.
Middle Tennessee's race for first place week culminates on Tuesday when the Blue Raiders face Sun Belt foe Western Kentucky Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Gym.
