Volleyball returns home for a pair of matches this weekend

Friday, October 22

Alumni Memorial Gym

7:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

UL-Monroe

Photo by: Athletic Communications

10/21/2010 9:37:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

By: Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After a four-match road swing, the Middle Tennessee volleyball team will return home for a pair of matches this weekend, taking on ULM on Friday and UL-Lafayette on Saturday. The Blue Raiders are coming off a week that saw Izabela Kozon, who has earned the Sun Belt Player of the Week award on three occasions this season, go down with an ankle injury in a four-set loss to FIU, which ended the Middle Tennessee's winning streak at 14 matches. MT would rebound with a 3-1 decision over Florida Atlantic on the following evening. "This weekend should be interesting," head coach Matt Peck said. "With Iza doubtful to play, I think this is an opportunity for some players to step up like they did against FAU. Despite their record, I think ULM is improved from last season, and Lafayette is better too." ULM is entering the match with an 0-16 record and an 0-7 mark in conference play, and UL-Lafayette is 13-10 this season and hold a 3-4 record in the Sun Belt. Since Matt Peck took over the program in 2004, Middle Tennessee has yet to drop a match to either school. Minus Kozon's team-best 317 kills on offense, the Blue Raiders will look to what has been a strong supporting cast for firepower. Ashley Adams is second on the team in kills with 205, averaging 3.36 per set. Maria Szivos and Stacy Oladinni are third and fourth, respectively, with 181 and 154. After posting a career-high 16 kills last weekend at Florida Atlantic, Lindsay Cheatham has 136 for the season at a .379 clip. Setting duties this season have been split by Morgan Peterson and Angela Peyton, tallying 490 and 485 assists, respectively. Oladinni and Cheatham have been the primary forces at the net defensively, combining for 180 total blocks this season, led by Oladinni's 1.17 blocks per set. Cheatham is just a fraction behind her, averaging 1.16. Brynne Henderson holds the team high in digs with 303 and tied a career high with 21 digs at FIU last weekend. Kozon is second in the category with 170, and Kendall Howard has 144. Peyton has also reached triple figures with 107.

Middle Tennessee, in partnership with the Side Out Foundation, will continue their Fight For Pink initiative this weekend. Pink and blue t-shirts as well as bracelets will be on sale at both matches with the proceeds going towards charities aimed at breast cancer research. If fans are unable to attend but would still like to make a donation, they can do so by clicking here. The Blue Raiders will open play on Friday at 7 p.m. vs. ULM and conclude with UL-Lafayette on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches will be played at Alumni Memorial Gym