Blue Raiders Open C-USA Slate at WKU

Friday, September 21

Bowling Green, K.Y.

6:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

Western Kentucky

9/20/2018 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team (4-8) travels to Bowling Green, Kentucky to face WKU (9-5) for its first Conference USA match of the season. The squad will face the Lady Toppers in the E.A. Diddle Arena on Friday, Sept. 21 at 6:00p.m.

Scouting the Lady Toppers
The Lady Toppers of WKU opened its season with back-to-back losses for the first time since 2012. The team quickly rebounded, winning its next three matches and recording only three additional losses during their preseason slate, entering the match on Friday with a 9-5 record.

Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, Rachel Anderson leads the WKU attack, inking 174 kills over 14 matches (.334 clip) for the Lady Toppers, averaging 3.35 kills per set.

On the defensive end, Emma Kowalkowski (166) and Payton Fredrick (155) control the WKU backrow, posting for a combined 321 digs for the Lady Toppers.

The Blue Raider and Lady Topper matchup on Friday marks the 59th meeting between the two teams with WKU taking the all-time series over Middle Tennessee, 43-15.

Wofford Invitational Recap
Junior libero Brienna Tankesley earned All-Tournament team honors after the Blue Raiders dropped both matches of the invitational to Gardner-Webb and host Wofford. The Landisville, Pa. native inked 38 digs for the Blue Raiders over eight sets to average 4.75 digs per set.

Senior Bailey Mason controlled the Blue Raider offense in the match against Gardner-Webb, recording a career-best 19 kills, hitting on a .256 clip. Meanwhile, redshirt-senior Aubrie Huddleston posted a season-best 12 kills in the final match of the tournament versus Wofford.

Career-breaking Preseason for Mason
Senior Mason has had a standout preseason, moving into her final conference slate of her Blue Raider career. The Forsyth, Ill. native has been a key piece of the Blue Raider offense this season, pacing the team's offense in seven of its 12 matches this season while hitting on a career-best .222 clip.

The senior outside hitter leads Middle Tennessee in all of its offensive categories including kills (128), kills per set (2.98), hitting percentage (.222) and service aces (13). Beyond her attacking efforts for the Blue Raiders the senior also is large contributor for the team's defense, recording 76 digs and 19 blocks for Middle Tennessee this preseason.

Up Next
The Blue Raiders will have a quick turnaround this weekend as the team travels to Ruston, La. to compete against Louisiana Tech on Sunday, Sept. 23 to continue its Conference USA opening weekend.