Blue Raiders Drop Contest to WKU, 3-1

Sunday, October 7

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

1:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

5-13, 0-5

Western Kentucky

14-6, 5-1

WKU

Middle Tennessee

10/7/2018 3:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee Volleyball team (5-13, 0-5) dropped a four-set contest to WKU (14-6, 5-1) on Sunday afternoon in the Alumni Memorial Gym.

Junior Dora Peonia paced the Blue Raider offense in the contest, knocking down 10 kills in the contest. Likewise, redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston (9) and senior Bailey Mason (8) posted a combined 17 kills for the Blue Raiders.

From their middle positions, freshman Julia Valdez and sophomore Josie Maxim notched five kills apiece. Similarly, redshirt-senior Vonnie Covington contributed three kills and three blocks in the four-set match.

Junior setter Taylor Hammill produced 36 helpers in the contest while adding six digs and a kill.

From the backrow, senior Regan Coughlin controlled the defense, recording 10 digs while junior Brienna Tankesley notched nine.

Set By Set

In the first frame, the Blue Raiders jumped out to a 6-4 lead over the Lady Toppers with kills from Peonia (2), Valdez (1) and Maxim (1). WKU battled back to tie the score at 6-all before Middle Tennessee created a 4-0 run over the Lady Toppers to take control of the first frame (15-10). Despite the teams early lead over the Lady Toppers, WKU tied the set at 15-all and continued its momentum to capture the first set, 25-21.

Western Kentucky opened the second frame, recording the first four points of the set. However, the team fought back, inking the next two points with kills from Peonia and Huddleston (4-2). The Blue Raiders created momentum late in the frame to come within six (19-13) but were unable to get any closer as the Lady Toppers claimed the second frame, 25-13.

Middle Tennessee gained control of the third frame early, creating a two-point lead over WKU off of a kill by Maxim (6-4). The Blue Raiders continued to push ahead in the frame with kills from Mason, Covington and Huddleston (13-11). WKU created a 3-0 run to tie the set at 13-all. The Lady Toppers continued their momentum in the set, taking a three-point lead over Middle Tennessee (18-15). However, the Blue Raiders battled back with a 10-2 run over the Lady Toppers to secure the set over WKU, 25-20. The third set win over the Lady Toppers marked the first set win over WKU for the Blue Raiders in three seasons.

In the fourth and final set, the Blue Raiders were unable to gain momentum, dropping the final frame to WKU, 25-16.

Up Next

Middle Tennessee continues conference play this weekend, traveling to Charlotte and Marshall. The team will face Charlotte on Friday evening before rounding off its weekend in West Virginia on Sunday afternoon.