Volleyball Drops Decision to Marshall, 3-0

Sunday, October 14

Huntington, W.V.

12:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

10-12, 3-5CUSA

Marshall

5-15, 0-7CUSA

Middle Tennessee

Marshall

10/14/2018 2:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team (5-13, 0-7) dropped its Sunday afternoon decision to Marshall (10-12, 3-5) in straight sets in the Cam Henderson Center.

The Blue Raiders were led by a balanced attack that featured senior Bailey Mason (10) and junior Dora Peonia (10), inking a combined 20 kills and two others with at least five. However, the Thundering Herd rode Ciara DeBell's 17 kills and .276 hitting percentage to capture the win over Middle Tennessee.

Despite the Blue Raiders controlling the first (26-24) and second set (25-23) early, the Thundering Herd responded with late runs to capture the first two frames. Though Middle Tennessee battled back from a seven-point deficit in the third (11-6) with a late 7-5 run (16-13), it couldn't overtake the home team, which held on for a 25-19 win, taking the contest over the Blue Raiders.

Behind Peonia and Mason's attack, senior Regan Coughlin recorded six kills in the contest while hitting on a season-best .545 clip while contributing eight digs. Likewise, redshirt-senior Vonnie Covington added another five kills from her middle position to pair with four blocks.

From her setter spot, junior Taylor Hammill racked up 35 assists, six digs and two kills. Meanwhile, junior Brienna Tankesley added 22 digs for the Blue Raiders, averaging 7.22 digs per set in the contest.

At the net, the Blue Raiders earned a 6-4 margin in blocks over the Thundering Herd.

In the first frame, Middle Tennessee and Marshall tied the set five times in the first ten points of the contest. The Thundering Herd built a small lead over the Blue Raiders (11-8) before Middle Tennessee battled back with an 8-6 run to tie the set with Marshall once again, after a solo block from Covington (16-16). The teams would battle back and forth, tying the frame another seven times (24-24) before Marshall claimed the first set in extra points, 26-24.

The Blue Raiders jumped out to an early lead in the second set (5-2) after Mason and redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston inked two kills apiece. Middle Tennessee continued to control the second frame, with the Blue Raider defense not allowing Marshall to come any closer than two (19-17). However, a late 3-1 run by Marshall allowed the Thundering Herd to claim the second frame over the Blue Raiders, 25-23.

In the third and final set, Marshall opened the set with a 9-4 run over Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders battled back within three (16-13) but were unable to get any closer as the Thundering Herd claimed the final set over Middle Tennessee, 25-19.

The Blue Raiders return to the Alumni Memorial Gym next weekend, hosting a pair of conference matches. The team will host UAB on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7:00p.m. before rounding off the weekend against UTEP on Sunday, Oct. 21 at noon.