Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Volleyball opens the year 4-0 at home
10/11/2021 6:00:00 PM | General, Men's Tennis, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The kills kept on coming for Middle Tennessee Volleyball this past weekend, as their second weekend sweep of C-USA play has given the Blue Raiders their best start since 2008 at home.
Kayla Henley capped off the weekend by leading all hitters with a career-high 20 kills in Saturday's match, a 3-2 win over FIU that pushed Middle Tennessee into sole possession of second place in the C-USA East Division. That bested her career high of 19 kills she set just a day prior in the Blue Raiders' 3-1 win over the Panthers.
Taylor Eisert also hit a career milestone over the weekend, passing the 1,000 career assists mark during Friday's win. In the process, she became the fastest Blue Raider to reach the 1,000-career assist milestone during the 25-point rally-scoring era (2008-present). The Louisville, Ky. native is currently fourth in C-USA in assists per set with 9.68.
In addition to Henley, Samira Lawson Body posted double digit kills in each match against FIU. Libero Marley Banton continues to pace the Blue Raider defense, posting 23 digs in each march over the weekend.
The Blue Raiders will face their toughest test of the season this coming weekend, traveling to Bowling Green, Ky. to take on nationally ranked Western Kentucky on Friday and Saturday. The Hilltoppers have started conference play 4-0, and have a 16-1 record to open the year.
Men's Tennis Gets Big Wins at ITA All-Americans
Wednesday was the Blue Raiders' day in Tulsa, Ok., as three Middle Tennessee men's tennis players combined to post two wins over top 10 opponents at the ITA All-Americans.
In the main singles draw, senior Francisco Rocha dispatched reigning Big 12 player of the year Luc Fomba in straight sets. The Portuguese international defeated the No. 8 seeded TCU player 7-6, 6-4 to advance to the round of 32.
Meanwhile in the doubles draw, the team of Pavel Motl and Stijn Slump triumphed over Garrett Johns and Sean Sculley in straight sets to advance to the round of 16. Ranked number 9 in the country, the Duke duo of Johns and Sculley fell 7-5, 7-5 to the Motl/Slump pairing to give the Blue Raiders two berths in Thursday's play at the ITA All-Americans.
Both Rocha and Motl/Slump would fall to athletes from USC on Thursday to end their tournaments, but the two top 10 wins on Wednesday marked the first time MT posted two Top 10 wins in a single day under head coach Jimmy Borendame. Additionally, Rocha's win is the highest ranked win a student athlete has posted in singles under Borendame.
Soccer sneaks past Charlotte to stay top half in C-USA
It took until overtime on Friday night in the Queen City, but Elizabeth Slavinsky stepped up in a big way in the 93rd minute to give the Blue Raiders the winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Charlotte.
Gaining possession of her own deflected cross attempt, the junior whipped in a left-footed ball from outside the box, which flew past the 49er keeper into the back of the net to give Middle Tennessee the golden goal.
The win gave MT three more points in the conference table, pushing the Blue Raiders to third in the C-USA East with nine points and four games to play, one point clear of FAU and two points clear of Charlotte.
Peyton DePriest tied her season high with eight shots, seven of which were on goal. Her 53rd minute PK equalized the game and helped push the Blue Raiders into overtime.
Football Off This Week
Football is currently in the midst of an open week on the schedule after their loss at Liberty this past Saturday. As a result, there will be no coach's show with head coach Rick Stockstill and the Voice of the Blue Raiders Chip Walters this evening.
Middle Tennessee will travel to UConn on Friday, October 22 for their next contest. The two teams have not met since 2001.
Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now
Basketball season is just around the corner and season tickets for the Blue Raiders and Lady Raiders are now on sale.
Men's season tickets are $170 per seat, and the women's season tickets are $120 per seat, or fans may purchase a combination of both men's and women's season tickets at a discounted rate of $220. MTSU staff and faculty also may purchase discounted season tickets by contacting the ticket office at 615-898-5261.
The Lady Raiders' home slate includes 15 games, including two exhibition contests. The first exhibition game is slated for Oct. 29. The Lady Raiders' home and season opener is Nov. 9 against East Carolina. The non-conference home slate also includes Vanderbilt, Mercer and Southern Illinois.
The Blue Raiders also have a healthy helping of home games for the fans with 15 games at Murphy Center in 2021-22, including three straight to tip off the campaign. In fact, five of the team's first eight games will be played at home.
Fans can purchase their season tickets online at GoBlueRaiders.com/Tickets, or by visiting the MTSU Ticket Office. For more information, call the MTSU Ticket Office at 615-898-5261.
Kayla Henley capped off the weekend by leading all hitters with a career-high 20 kills in Saturday's match, a 3-2 win over FIU that pushed Middle Tennessee into sole possession of second place in the C-USA East Division. That bested her career high of 19 kills she set just a day prior in the Blue Raiders' 3-1 win over the Panthers.
Taylor Eisert also hit a career milestone over the weekend, passing the 1,000 career assists mark during Friday's win. In the process, she became the fastest Blue Raider to reach the 1,000-career assist milestone during the 25-point rally-scoring era (2008-present). The Louisville, Ky. native is currently fourth in C-USA in assists per set with 9.68.
In a 3-1 win over FIU today, redshirt freshman @tayloreisert21 became the fastest Blue Raider to reach the 1,000-career assist milestone during the 25-point rally scoring era, doing so in 27 matches and 107 sets!🔥 Congrats Taylor!#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/rKnZPBC9HJ
— MT Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) October 8, 2021
In addition to Henley, Samira Lawson Body posted double digit kills in each match against FIU. Libero Marley Banton continues to pace the Blue Raider defense, posting 23 digs in each march over the weekend.
The Blue Raiders will face their toughest test of the season this coming weekend, traveling to Bowling Green, Ky. to take on nationally ranked Western Kentucky on Friday and Saturday. The Hilltoppers have started conference play 4-0, and have a 16-1 record to open the year.
Men's Tennis Gets Big Wins at ITA All-Americans
Wednesday was the Blue Raiders' day in Tulsa, Ok., as three Middle Tennessee men's tennis players combined to post two wins over top 10 opponents at the ITA All-Americans.
In the main singles draw, senior Francisco Rocha dispatched reigning Big 12 player of the year Luc Fomba in straight sets. The Portuguese international defeated the No. 8 seeded TCU player 7-6, 6-4 to advance to the round of 32.
Top-10 win? ✅ @ITA_Tennis
— MT Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) October 6, 2021
Rocha takes straight sets from No. 8 Fomba (TCU): 7-6, 6-4.#MT | #BlueRaiders ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/sLGqVYmjfq
Meanwhile in the doubles draw, the team of Pavel Motl and Stijn Slump triumphed over Garrett Johns and Sean Sculley in straight sets to advance to the round of 16. Ranked number 9 in the country, the Duke duo of Johns and Sculley fell 7-5, 7-5 to the Motl/Slump pairing to give the Blue Raiders two berths in Thursday's play at the ITA All-Americans.
Both Rocha and Motl/Slump would fall to athletes from USC on Thursday to end their tournaments, but the two top 10 wins on Wednesday marked the first time MT posted two Top 10 wins in a single day under head coach Jimmy Borendame. Additionally, Rocha's win is the highest ranked win a student athlete has posted in singles under Borendame.
FAMILY. | #MT ⚡️⚡️ https://t.co/2gNxLB6Kvz pic.twitter.com/d8BBnJx4hg
— MT Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) October 6, 2021
Soccer sneaks past Charlotte to stay top half in C-USA
It took until overtime on Friday night in the Queen City, but Elizabeth Slavinsky stepped up in a big way in the 93rd minute to give the Blue Raiders the winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Charlotte.
Gaining possession of her own deflected cross attempt, the junior whipped in a left-footed ball from outside the box, which flew past the 49er keeper into the back of the net to give Middle Tennessee the golden goal.
First. Career. GAME-WINNER! @LizaSlavinsky called game. 😤#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/usu5QHRrRz
— MT Soccer (@MT_Soccer) October 9, 2021
The win gave MT three more points in the conference table, pushing the Blue Raiders to third in the C-USA East with nine points and four games to play, one point clear of FAU and two points clear of Charlotte.
Peyton DePriest tied her season high with eight shots, seven of which were on goal. Her 53rd minute PK equalized the game and helped push the Blue Raiders into overtime.
53' | GOOOOOOOOOAL @PeyDepriest! DePriest draws the foul in the box and you won't win a 1-on-1 with the C-USA all-time leader as the Blue Raiders even things back up at one on the PK!
— MT Soccer (@MT_Soccer) October 9, 2021
⚡️ - 1
⛏️ - 1#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/z5XUlYZOnN
Football Off This Week
Football is currently in the midst of an open week on the schedule after their loss at Liberty this past Saturday. As a result, there will be no coach's show with head coach Rick Stockstill and the Voice of the Blue Raiders Chip Walters this evening.
Middle Tennessee will travel to UConn on Friday, October 22 for their next contest. The two teams have not met since 2001.
Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now
Basketball season is just around the corner and season tickets for the Blue Raiders and Lady Raiders are now on sale.
Men's season tickets are $170 per seat, and the women's season tickets are $120 per seat, or fans may purchase a combination of both men's and women's season tickets at a discounted rate of $220. MTSU staff and faculty also may purchase discounted season tickets by contacting the ticket office at 615-898-5261.
The Lady Raiders' home slate includes 15 games, including two exhibition contests. The first exhibition game is slated for Oct. 29. The Lady Raiders' home and season opener is Nov. 9 against East Carolina. The non-conference home slate also includes Vanderbilt, Mercer and Southern Illinois.
The Blue Raiders also have a healthy helping of home games for the fans with 15 games at Murphy Center in 2021-22, including three straight to tip off the campaign. In fact, five of the team's first eight games will be played at home.
Fans can purchase their season tickets online at GoBlueRaiders.com/Tickets, or by visiting the MTSU Ticket Office. For more information, call the MTSU Ticket Office at 615-898-5261.
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
F
/ Women's Soccer
S
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
F
/ Women's Soccer
/ Men's Tennis
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