Blue Raiders Fall to Bryant in Hampton Inn-vitational Opener, 3-0

Friday, September 7

Smithfield, R.I.

3:00 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

1-6

Bryant

5-4

Middle Tennessee

Bryant

9/7/2018 5:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Middle Tennessee volleyball team (1-6) drops its first contest of the Hampton Inn-vitational to tournament host, Bryant in three-frames (5-4).

Senior Bailey Mason paced the attack for the Blue Raiders, inking 14 kills on a .500 clip while junior Dora Peonia added a season-high 10 kills (.304). Likewise, redshirt-senior Vonnie Covington (4) and freshman Samira Lawson Body contributed a combined seven kills for the Blue Raiders.

From their setter position, junior Taylor Hammill (19) and freshman Sarah Sumida (11) tallied a combined 30 assists in the three-set contest. Meanwhile, the backrow defense was a team effort with senior Regan Coughlin, junior Brienna Tankesley, Lawson Body and Peonia, recording five kills apiece.

In the first set, the Blue Raiders jumped out to an early 10-3 lead over the Bulldogs with kills from Mason, Peonia and Covington, notching two kills apiece. However, Bryant battled back, creating a 4-0 run to come within three of the Blue Raiders (10-7). Middle Tennessee maintained the lead over the Bulldogs with kills by Covington, Valdez, Mason and Peonia until the Bulldogs pushed back to tie the first set at 16-all. The Blue Raiders fought within four but were unable to clinch the first frame falling to Bryant, 25-18.

Bryant took control of the second frame early, creating an 11-2 edge over the Blue Raiders. However, the Blue Raiders made a comeback led by Bailey Mason. Mason inked eight of her 14 kills in the second set, leading the Blue Raiders back within five. Despite the incredible comeback from the Blue Raiders, the team dropped the second set to Bryant, 25-23.

The Blue Raiders were unable to regain their momentum in the third and final frame, falling to the Bulldogs, 25-18.

Middle Tennessee will return to the Chace Athletic Center tomorrow for a doubleheader against Quinnipiac and Coppin State to round off the Hampton Inn-vitational.