Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Blue Raiders Face Western Kentucky
11/10/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee volleyball finds itself in yet another familiar situation on Saturday. The Blue Raiders meet Sun Belt East foe Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky. with the Sun Belt East title on the line.
On October 17, Middle Tennessee hosted the Toppers in the Alumni Memorial Gym with first place in the Sun Belt East in its sights. Western Kentucky came out on top in the 3-2 decision, the second straight time the two teams pushed the match to five games. Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky went to five games in the finals of the Sun Belt Championships in Murfreesboro last November and each match-up is proving to be an instant classic.
"I think the last three times we have played them has been for first place," said Head Coach Matt Peck. "Obviously it is a great match-up between two very successful programs. We don't have the history that Western but I think certainly we have turned the corner with our program."
The last match of the season for Middle Tennessee has some interesting twists and turns. The Blue Raiders are currently 13-3 in the Sun Belt and have an overall record of 22-7. Western Kentucky is 14-2 in the Sun Belt and 25-8 overall. Should Middle Tennessee defeat Western Kentucky the Blue Raiders would win the Sun Belt East and claim the No. 1 seed in the tournament since Middle Tennessee swept Florida International and Western Kentucky split with them. If Middle Tennessee loses the Blue Raiders will fall to 13-4 and would be the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
"I'm not putting too much pressure on the team," Peck said. "But I am sure they are aware that if we win this match we are the No. 1 seed."
Western Kentucky has the advantage over Middle Tennessee in the last few years. The last time the Blue Raiders defeated the Toppers was Nov. 5, 2000 taking a 3-1 victory.
