Middle Tennessee Surges Past UTEP, 3-0

Sunday, October 21

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

12:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

7-15,2-7

UTEP

4-17, 1-8

UTEP

Middle Tennessee

10/21/2018 2:10:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team (7-15, 2-7) knocked down UTEP (4-17, 1-8) in straight-sets in the Alumni Memorial Gym on Sunday afternoon.

The team notched back-to-back sweeps this weekend after taking down UAB on Friday, Oct. 19 in straight-sets to move to a 2-7 record in Conference USA play.

Key Blue Raiders

Senior duo Bailey Mason (15) and Regan Coughlin (11) paved the way for the Blue Raiders, inking a combined 26 kills in the contest. Mason hit on a .378 clip, reducing herself to only one error in the contest while Coughlin hit on a .393 clip with no attacking errors. Likewise, the seniors added to the Middle Tennessee offense by recording three service aces apiece.

Meanwhile, junior Dora Peonia contributed seven kills in the match while freshman Samira Lawson Body added six.

Overall the Blue Raiders created a +12 (48-36) kill margin over the Miners while hitting on a .288 clip.

From her setter position, junior Taylor Hammill notched 39 assists in the three-set contest while adding three kills and nine digs.

Middle Tennessee also created +2 (6-4) blocking margin over the Miners, with redshirt-senior Vonnie Covington leading the way with five blocks in the contest.

Play by Play

In the first frame, the Blue Raiders created a 5-0 run with four kills and an ace from Hammill. Middle Tennessee continued to dominate the first frame over UTEP, hitting on a .333 clip while recording seven service aces in the first set. The Blue Raiders created a balanced attack in the first set with four players recording at least three kills, including: Peonia (3), Coughlin (3), Lawson Body (3) and Mason (3). Middle Tennessee claimed the first frame over the Miners off of a service ace from Lawson Body to take the set, 25-13.

The Blue Raiders opened the second frame with a 3-0 run over the Miners off of kills from Covington and Mason while Coughlin inked a service ace. However, UTEP would grab the next three points in the set to tie the frame at 3-all. The set would tie another four time before Middle Tennessee created a 3-0 run sparked by a kill from Coughlin (10-7). The Blue Raiders continued to control the set before the Miners regained momentum late to tie the frame (18-18) after a service ace. Mason secured the second set for the Blue Raiders, notching three straight points for Middle Tennessee to take the second set in extra points, 27-25.

In the third and final set, Middle Tennessee was led behind seven kills from Mason. As a whole, the team hit on a .283 clip in the third frame to secure the set over UTEP, 26-24.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders take a quick break from conference play, traveling to UT Martin for a midweek contest on Wednesday, Oct. 24.