Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
-912,66 CUSA
Troy University
18-12,9-7Sun Belt
Troy Tops Blue Raiders in Opening Round of NIVC Tournament
12/3/2021 8:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – The Blue Raiders drop their opening round match of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship against Troy 0-3.
In a game where the Blue Raiders allowed their fourth-lowest number of kills on the season, the team struggled at times with a +11-error margin in comparison to the Trojans. The serves weren't going their way either with 10 serving errors and zero aces on the day.
Middle blocker Michaela Wright's two solo blocks on the day put her at 16 on the season, which will be the second-most during a 25-point rally era season. Marley Banton's 11 digs in the match will put her at 384 on the season which marks the ninth most digs during the 25-point rally scoring era. Samira Lawson Body had her eighth double-double on the season with 12 kills and 10 digs in her final match as a Blue Raider. Seniors Emma Grever and Urte Neimantaite were also able to get time on the court throughout the match; Grever ended the match with two kills.
Middle Tennessee vs. Troy Set-by-Set
Set one started with a Lawson Body kill and she continued to play well throughout the set with four total kills and two blocks. Early on the match was tied 6-6 but then things slipped out of control and Troy quickly went on a 7-0 run to push their lead to 13-6. The Trojans went on to win the set 25-16 as the Blue Raiders hitting percentage dropped to a -.030.
The second set was a heated battle throughout the start as the Blue Raiders found themselves up 15-13 before a media timeout was called. Post-media timeout, the Trojans strung together a great offensive display closing the set out with a 12-3 run and winning the set 25-18. The Blue Raiders had a day-high .310 attack percentage that was led by Samira and her five kills. Kayla Henley had her best set of the day going three of six with no errors. Taylor Eisert went two of two with no errors in the set to go along with her nine assists.
The Blue Raiders had a great start to the final set, but again, Troy strung up an offensive run that mounted up to 6-1. Lawson Body led the team in the last set with three kills on seven attempts and freshman Melisa Tore went two of four to go along with her solo block. The Trojans took the last set 25-14.
Stat Leaders:
Aces: N/A (0)
Kills: Samira Lawson Body (12)
Assists: Taylor Eisert (23)
Digs: Marley Banton (11)
Blocks: Michaela Wright (3)
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