Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, August 25
Cullowhee, N.C.
9:00 a.m.
Middle Tennessee
1-1
3
vs
1
Robert Morris
0-2
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tennessee
20
25
25
25
3
Robert Morris
25
22
20
19
1
Blue Raiders Split Final Day of the Catamount Volleyball Classic
8/25/2018 8:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Middle Tennessee volleyball (1-2) rounded its weekend at the Catamount Volleyball Classic Saturday with a doubleheader, splitting matches against Robert Morris (0-3) and Western Carolina (3-0). The Blue Raiders opened their day with a four-set win over the Colonials (20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-19) before falling in four frames to the Catamounts (36-28, 25-23, 11-25, 18-25) in a hard-fought match.
Top Performers versus Robert Morris, 3-1
Regan Coughlin – 14 kills on .321 hitting, nine digs, three assists
Sarah Sumida – 36 assists, 13 digs
Brienna Tankesley – 32 digs (career-high), 8.00 digs per set, five assists
Top Performers versus Western Carolina,
Tankesley – 25 digs, 6.25 digs per set, three assists
Bailey Mason – 12 kills, nine digs
Sumida – 36 assists, nine digs
Blue Raider Highlights
After a disappointing first set versus Robert Morris, the Blue Raiders responded with three consecutive set victories. Strong defense keyed Middle Tennessee's turnaround, as the team notched a season-high 84 digs.
Coughlin paced the Middle Tennessee offense, notching a season-best 14 kills. The senior outside hitter recorded season-bests in every category in the match versus Robert Morris.
Four Blue Raiders inked 13-plus digs against the Colonials, led by Tankesley's career-high 32 digs. The Landisville, Pa. native recorded a career-best 8.00 digs per set. Junior Dora Peonia and Sumida each produced 13 digs apiece in the match against Robert Morris. Sumida's 13 digs established a new career record while Peonia matched her career-high.
From her setter position, Sumida inked a career-best 36 assists over Robert Morris. The freshman setter also recorded her first kill as a Blue Raider in the match.
Against Western Carolina, the Blue Raiders fought hard in the first set going into extra points. However, the team fell to the Catamounts, 28-26. The Blue Raiders battled back in the second frame to tie the match at one apiece. Middle Tennessee struggled to come back, falling in the third and fourth sets.
Libero Tankesley continued her momentum from the Robert Morris match to the Western Carolina game, inking 25 digs (6.25 d/s) and three assists in her four-set outing. Similarly, Coughlin, Mason, Sumida and redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston contributed to the squad's defensive efforts, recording nine digs apiece.
Hear from Head Coach Chuck Crawford
On the Blue Raiders performance on Saturday…
"Robert Morris was a great win for the team—we saw the fight and motivation in the girls that we were looking for to grab the first win of the season. After our performance on Friday, we had an open conversation that there were hints of the old culture still present and we talked about what we need to do and they accomplished the goal we set, to win the match. I was really proud of them for the way they fought against Robert Morris".
On Tankesley averaging 7.13 digs per set on the day…
"This summer, Bri put in a tremendous amount of effort into making herself better—training in the gym and doing extra reps on her own. She is a very motivated player who keeps herself in check when she slips. This opening weekend, Bri showed us all of her effort and how hard she has worked for this moment and is making plays this year she was not making last year".
Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns to Murfreesboro next weekend to host Austin Peay, Troy and Stetson in the Blue Raider Bash.
Top Performers versus Robert Morris, 3-1
Regan Coughlin – 14 kills on .321 hitting, nine digs, three assists
Sarah Sumida – 36 assists, 13 digs
Brienna Tankesley – 32 digs (career-high), 8.00 digs per set, five assists
Top Performers versus Western Carolina,
Tankesley – 25 digs, 6.25 digs per set, three assists
Bailey Mason – 12 kills, nine digs
Sumida – 36 assists, nine digs
Blue Raider Highlights
After a disappointing first set versus Robert Morris, the Blue Raiders responded with three consecutive set victories. Strong defense keyed Middle Tennessee's turnaround, as the team notched a season-high 84 digs.
Coughlin paced the Middle Tennessee offense, notching a season-best 14 kills. The senior outside hitter recorded season-bests in every category in the match versus Robert Morris.
Four Blue Raiders inked 13-plus digs against the Colonials, led by Tankesley's career-high 32 digs. The Landisville, Pa. native recorded a career-best 8.00 digs per set. Junior Dora Peonia and Sumida each produced 13 digs apiece in the match against Robert Morris. Sumida's 13 digs established a new career record while Peonia matched her career-high.
From her setter position, Sumida inked a career-best 36 assists over Robert Morris. The freshman setter also recorded her first kill as a Blue Raider in the match.
Against Western Carolina, the Blue Raiders fought hard in the first set going into extra points. However, the team fell to the Catamounts, 28-26. The Blue Raiders battled back in the second frame to tie the match at one apiece. Middle Tennessee struggled to come back, falling in the third and fourth sets.
Libero Tankesley continued her momentum from the Robert Morris match to the Western Carolina game, inking 25 digs (6.25 d/s) and three assists in her four-set outing. Similarly, Coughlin, Mason, Sumida and redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston contributed to the squad's defensive efforts, recording nine digs apiece.
Hear from Head Coach Chuck Crawford
On the Blue Raiders performance on Saturday…
"Robert Morris was a great win for the team—we saw the fight and motivation in the girls that we were looking for to grab the first win of the season. After our performance on Friday, we had an open conversation that there were hints of the old culture still present and we talked about what we need to do and they accomplished the goal we set, to win the match. I was really proud of them for the way they fought against Robert Morris".
On Tankesley averaging 7.13 digs per set on the day…
"This summer, Bri put in a tremendous amount of effort into making herself better—training in the gym and doing extra reps on her own. She is a very motivated player who keeps herself in check when she slips. This opening weekend, Bri showed us all of her effort and how hard she has worked for this moment and is making plays this year she was not making last year".
Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns to Murfreesboro next weekend to host Austin Peay, Troy and Stetson in the Blue Raider Bash.
Team Stats
MT
RMU
Kills
50
38
Errors
30
21
Attempts
162
158
Hitting %
.123
.108
Points
61.0
57.0
Assists
46
32
Aces
5
5
Blocks
6.0
14.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
L
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