MT Hits the Road for La Tech, Hosts UAB on Senior Day

Friday, November 7

Ruston, La.

7:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

LA Tech

11/6/2014 9:40:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team (7-19, 3-9 C-USA) will make the trek to Ruston, La., for a 7 p.m., match at Louisiana Tech before turning around two days later to square off against UAB on Sunday at 1 p.m., for Senior Day inside Alumni Memorial Gym.

@MT_Volleyball at Louisiana Tech – 7 p.m.
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@MT_Volleyball vs. UAB – 1 p.m.
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About the Blue Raiders

Last Time Out
The Blue Raiders were edged by North Texas in five sets on Friday while falling 3-1 on Sunday to Marshall. Junior Chelsea Ross notched her 12th and 13th double-doubles of the season while registering a career-high 20 digs against North Texas.

Senior Day
Sunday's match against UAB will mark the final home game of the season on senior day for the Blue Raiders' three seniors, Eseta Maka, Ailime de Freitas and Monét Marshall. The trio have played over 50 matches together the past two seasons while playing pivotal roles this year. Marshall leads the team with 97 blocks while also leading the way with a .267 hitting percentage. De Freitas is second on the team with 392 assists, and Maka has amassed 36 kills with a .233 hitting percentage in the previous seven contests.

Race for Eighth
With six teams locking up berths in the Conference USA Championships and Marshall a virtual lock at this point, the race for the eighth spot has heated up with two weekends left in league play. UTEP, UAB and MT are tied for the final playoff spot with 3-9 records, while Charlotte and FIU sit just a game back in the loss column. The Blue Raiders have the easiest road of all five teams with their remaining opponents combining for a win percentage of .367 (18-31). The Blazers have the toughest route with their opponents owning a combined .625 win clip in league play (30-18).

Efficient Gillard
Freshman LaDaisha Gillard has been playing efficiently on the offensive end with a team-best .406 hitting percentage (17k-4e-32a) over the previous three matches, including a career-best nine kills on Sunday against Marshall. She's also done well on the defensive end, recording 10 blocks over the last three contests.

About the Opponents

Scouting Louisiana Tech (9-17, 1-11 C-USA)
The Lady Techsters have dropped the three matches after picking up their first conference victory of the season at Charlotte in four sets. La Tech is 3-8 overall at home this season while having yet to win a league match on their home court. Rebecca Redgen paces La Tech with 326 kills and a kill per set of 3.66. Adria Morales leads the way with 433 assists and Alejandra Aviles tops the list with 313 digs.

Scouting UAB (6-21, 3-9 C-USA)
The Blazers are on a four-game slide while winning only two sets in the process. UAB has struggled on the road this season with a 1-10 mark with its only victory coming in four sets at Marshall. The offense is led by Gabby Deshotel with 259 kills while Amber Treace paces the team with 721 assists. Defensively, Bethanie Thomas is leading the way with 233 digs, and Sara Rishell has posted a team-best 92 blocks.

Series History

Louisiana Tech: The Blue Raiders are 4-0 all-time against the Bulldogs, including a five-set win earlier this season in Alumni Memorial Gym. Junior Chelsea Ross posted a career-high 33 wins in the victory while Haley Morton and Ailime de Freitas both notched at least 30 assists.

UAB: The Blazers hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series after grabbing a 3-0 win on their home court earlier this season.

Next Up: Charlotte, WKU
The Blue Raiders will be on the road for the final weekend in the regular season with a 6 p.m., match against Charlotte on Thursday before concluding the regular season at rival WKU on Saturday at 7 p.m.