Blue Raiders win battle over Yellow Jackets

Friday, September 4

Alumni Memorial Gym

7:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Georgia Tech

9/4/2009 10:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: MT Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raiders pulled out a fourth set nail biter over Georgia Tech on Friday night to take a 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-20, 32-30) win to open the Blue Raider Bash. The two teams traded points from the 16-14 mark, with neither taking more than a one point lead, until Middle Tennessee pulled out the 32-30 win. "It was a very hard fought match between two very athletic teams. I was proud of the way we performed in tough situations especially in set four," head coach Matt Peck said. Junior Izabela Kozon led Middle Tennessee with 19 kills while senior Ashley Mead added 13 and sophomore Stacy Oladinni put up 11 of her own. "Iza had another outstanding match on offense and defense and had huge timely kills for us. She extended her outstanding play from last weekend and stepped up to the plate when we really needed her," Peck said. Middle Tennessee cruised to the win in the first set but lost its rhythm in the second and never fully regained it for the rest of the match. Senior Janay Yancey performed well at the net notching six block assists and one solo block. Oladinni added assistance with four block assists and two solo blocks of her own. As a team, the Blue Raiders had 58 kills for a .284 attack percentage while holding Georgia Tech to 43 kills with a .143 hitting percentage. The Yellow Jackets were led throughout the night by Monique Mead, Ashley Mead's sister, who posted 13 kills, six digs and six blocks assists. Bailey Hunter was the only other Georgia Tech player in double-digits with 11 kills and a .364 attack percentage. Blue Raider newcomer, junior Alyssa Wistrick, performed well off the bench as she went 3 for 3 with a 1.000 attack percentage. Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 5 when it plays host to Northern Illinois at 2 p.m. and Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. in day two of the Blue Raider Bash.