Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
-65,41 CUSA
FIU
-39,03 CUSA
Blue Raiders Move to 3-0 at Home With a Win Over FIU
10/8/2021 4:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Blue Raiders continue their excellent play at home with a 3-1 win against FIU. Kayla Henley tied her career-high for kills with 19 on the day, keeping Middle Tennessee undefeated at home with a 3-0 record.
After a rough start to the day in set one, the team bounced back quickly and swept sets two through four. Taylor Eisert had 49 assists on the day, but the 16th assist was the one that everyone was waiting for. Eisert became the fastest Blue Raider to reach the 1,000-career assist milestone during the 25-point rally-scoring era (2008-present). Kayla Henley had an electric day tying her career-best 19 kills on 30 total attempts. Samira Lawson Body was consistent once again with a 15 kill double-double. Melisa Tore set a new career-high with three service aces, two of which came in set three.
Middle Tennessee vs. FIU Set-by-Set
The Blue Raiders started the day off with a .115 hitting percentage to go along with eight errors in set one. The Panthers went on a few runs, but their best in the set was the 6-0 run that closed it out.
Set two saw the scripts flip, as the Blue Raiders took it 25-15. Middle Tennessee had a match-high .464 hitting percentage to go along with a match-low two attack errors. Eisert reached her 1,000-career assist milestone during the set, which seemed to ignite the players to another level. Eisert also hit home two service aces in a row nearing the end of the set. Henley led the offense in set two with six kills on eight attempts.
The third set of the day was a battle. Tore's two service aces got things on offense going after the Panthers led 3-1 to start early on. The momentum shifted multiple times throughout the set, with it ending in the Blue Raiders' favor when they ended it on a 3-0 run, winning the set 28-26. Lawson Body and Henley combined for 11 kills during set three.
Kayla Henley continued to show up big in set four with five kills, but Michaela Wright's timely five kills, scoring the last four points including the game-winner, saw the Blue Raiders take the fourth and final set 25-20.
Stat Leaders
Aces: Melisa Tore (3)
Kills: Kayla Henley (19)
Assists: Taylor Eisert (49)
Digs: Marley Banton (23)
Blocks: Henley and Smith (2)
The Blue Raiders continue their home weekend series with FIU tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT.
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