Volleyball Travels to Charlotte and Marshall

Friday, October 12

Charlotte, N.C.

5:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

Charlotte

10/11/2018 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team travels to Charlotte, N.C. and Huntington, W.Va. this weekend to continue its conference slate. The Blue Raiders (5-13, 0-5) look to clinch its first C-USA match of the season as they compete against the 49ers (11-10, 1-4) and Marshall (9-11, 2-4) this weekend.

Scouting Charlotte (11-10, 1-4)
The 49ers opened their season on a high note, sweeping Big South competitor Presbyterian in their home tournament in August. Charlotte would record another eight wins in non-conference play, to open its C-USA slate with a 10-6 record. Charlotte recorded its first conference win over Marshall in a five-set thriller, however the 49ers have been unable to clinch another C-USA matchup, falling to WKU, FAU and Southern Miss.

The teams offense is paced by Reeana Richardson who has inked 355 kills on the season, averaging 3.99 kills per set. Meanwhile, the 49ers defense is led by Yumi Garcia. Garcia currently leads the conference and Charlotte in digs per set 5.72 (509). Similarly, as a team, the 49ers lead the nation in team total blocks with 217.0 blocks this season.

Scouting Marshall (9-11, 2-4)
The Thundering Herd opened its 2018 season with three-straight losses before bouncing back and claiming three-straight victories over Morehead State, Georgia State and Furman. Similarly, the team opened conference play with three losses to Charlotte, FIU and UAB. Marshall claimed its two first wins of its conference slate over LA Tech and UTEP.

Ciara Debell leads the Thundering Herds offensive efforts, inking 302 kills (4.89 k/s) in 19 matches this season. Meanwhile, Amber Weber controls the backrow for the team, notching 395 digs on the season.

Key Blue Raiders in C-USA Play
Since opening conference play, redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston and junior Dora Peonia have been the leading offensive Blue Raiders for Middle Tennessee.

Huddleston has recorded 39 kills in 14 sets while hitting on a .271 clip in C-USA play. Meanwhile, Peonia has notched 38 kills in conference play, averaging 2.38 kills per set. Peonia has also provided depth to the Blue Raider backrow, inking 20 digs in 16 sets for Middle Tennessee.

From her backrow position, junior Brienna Tankesley also remains a key defender for Middle Tennessee. In the teams five conference matches, Tankesley averages 3.29 digs per set.

Blue Raiders Drop a Pair of Home Matches Last Weekend
Middle Tennessee dropped a pair of home contests last weekend as the Blue Raiders hosted conference leader, Rice and long-time rival, WKU.

Despite the loss, the team notched its first set win over the Lady Toppers in three seasons. The Blue Raider offense was paced by Peonia, inking 10 kills in the four-set contest. Likewise, Huddleston (9) and senior Bailey Mason (8) added a combined 17 kills for the Blue Raiders in the match.

Up Next
After a weekend on the road, the Blue Raiders will return to the Alumni Memorial Gym, hosting a pair of conference matches. Middle Tennessee will welcome UAB on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7:00 p.m. before rounding off its weekend against UTEP on Sunday, Oct. 21 at noon.