Blue Raiders Conclude Weekend Series with 3-0 Loss to No. 20 WKU

Sunday, March 21

Murfreesboro, TN

1:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

-59,47 CUSA

WKU

-160,100 CUSA

Western Ky.

Middle Tenn.

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

3/21/2021 4:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 20 WKU Sunday at Alumni Memorial Gym to wrap up the two-match series (14-25, 17-25, 16-25).

Sophomore Dasia Smith and freshman Amelia Van Der Werff each tallied six kills to co-lead the Blue Raiders offense Sunday. Defensively, libero Marley Banton put up nine digs while Kayla Henley added nine digs as well.

A 5-0 WKU run early in the opening stanza quickly put the Blue Raiders at a deficit and prompted a timeout at 9-4 in the first. Later in the set, Middle Tennessee would use back-to-back kills by Kayla Henley to cut the deficit to 18-13. The Hilltoppers halted the advancing Blue Raiders finishing with four-straight points to take the opening set 25-14.

Up 11-4, WKU rolled on to break open the second set, 19-10. Emma Grever's kills came down the stretch, but the deficit was too much as WKU went ahead two sets with a 25-17 set two win.

The Hilltoppers opened the third set with six straight points to open up a sizable lead early. The Blue Raiders would later reel off four straight points to cut the deficit to seven. Middle Tennessee won three of the next six rallies. WKU kept the Blue Raiders at bay in the third, running to a 25-16 win and completing the sweep.

Up next, Middle Tennessee will travel to Boca Raton, Fla., for a match with the Florida Atlantic Owls next Friday to close out the regular season. First serve is slated for 6 pm CT.

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