Blue Raiders Topple Quinnipiac, Coppin State

Saturday, September 8

Smithfield, R.I.

9:00 a.m.

Middle Tennessee

2-6

Quinnipiac

1-8

Middle Tennessee

Quinnipiac

9/8/2018 5:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brendan English, Athletic Communications Assistant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Blue Raiders (3-6) earned two wins on Saturday over Coppin State (2-10) and Quinnipiac (1-8) during the final day of the Hampton Inn-vitational. After three-matches over two days, junior duo Dora Peonia and Brienna Tankesley earned All-Tournament team honors. Peonia recorded 39 kills and 19 digs while Tankesley contributed 35 digs for the Blue Raiders this weekend.

Top Performers versus Quinnipiac, 3-2
Peonia – 16 kills (season-high), hitting on a .323 clip, eight digs
Bailey Mason – nine kills, seven digs
Sarah Sumida – 34 assists

The Blue Raider Five-Set Thriller over Quinnipiac
Peonia led the Blue Raider offense, recording 16 kills in the match versus Quinnipiac. Meanwhile, freshman Julia Valdez and senior Mason added nine kills apiece.

From her setter position, Sumida tallied 34 assists while adding seven digs and two service aces in the five-set victory.

Middle Tennessee controlled the first frame early over Quinnipiac, jumping out to a 3-1 lead with kills from redshirt-sophomore Aubrie Huddleston and sophomore Josie Maxim. The Bobcats responded tying the frame at 6-all before the teams tied the set another five times (12-12). The Blue Raiders gained momentum creating a 4-0 run over Quinnipiac with Peonia and Huddleston, each contributing a kill for the team. Middle Tennessee took control of the set clinching the first set, 25-18.

The second frame went back and forth with the two teams tying the set nine times before the Bobcats jumped out on a 3-0 run over Middle Tennessee (13-16). The Blue Raiders battled back but were unable to get closer than one, dropping the second frame to Quinnipiac, 25-22.

The Blue Raiders opened the third set on a 5-2 run over the Bobcats with kills from Huddleston and Peonia. However, the Bobcats took control over the set to take the third frame from Middle Tennessee, 25-14.

Middle Tennessee pushed for fifth set action, coming out of the gates strong in the fourth frame. The Blue Raiders created an early 13-1 run over the Bobcats with two kills from Maxim while Lawson Body and Mason added one apiece. The strong Blue Raider defense held off the Bobcats from getting any closer than five (16-11) to win the set, 25-16.

In the fifth and final frame the Blue Raiders sealed the match win, clinching the set over Quinnipiac, 15-8.

Top Performers versus Coppin State, 3-1
Samira Lawson Body – 13 kills, hitting on a .591 clip, 10 digs
Peonia – 13 kills, six digs
Brienna Tankesley – 13 digs, two assists

The Team Knocks Down Coppin State in Four
Peonia (13) and Lawson Body (13) were key for the Blue Raider attack, contributing 13 kills apiece in the match. Lawson Body also registered 10 digs in the four-set match to record her first double-double of her collegiate career.

Middle Tennessee controlled the first frame, inking 12 kills while hitting on a .250 clip. The Blue Raider defense held the Eagles to a .061 hitting percentage to claim the first set, 25-20.

The Blue Raiders took control of the second set early, jumping out to a 9-5 lead. However, Coppin State battled back to clinch the second frame over Middle Tennessee, 25-18.

In the third frame, Lawson Body inked back-to-back kills to give the Blue Raiders a 3-1 advantage over Coppin State. The Eagles battled back to tie the match at 8-all. The teams battles back and forth, tying the set five times before the Blue Raiders went on a 4-1 run to claim the third set, 25-22.

Middle Tennessee rounded off the fourth and final set with a 25-15 victory to claim the match over Coppin State.

Up Next
The Blue Raiders continue on the road, traveling to Chattanooga for a mid-week clash on Wednesday, Sept. 12 before heading to the Wofford Tournament this weekend in Spartanburg, S.C.