Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, August 27
Jacksonville, AL
1:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
-10,00 CUSA
3
vs
0
Alabama State
0-1,0-0SWAC
1
2
3
F
Alabama St.
17
14
6
0
Middle Tenn.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Blue Raiders Sting Hornets to Win Season-Opener 3-0
8/27/2021 6:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Blue Raiders started the first set strong and finished even stronger in the last set, taking all three sets against Alabama State. This is the first season-opener MT has won since the 2016 season, with final set scores of 25-17, 25-14, and 25-6.
MT's defense was suffocating, allowing a match-hitting percentage of .086 with a set low of -0.100 in set two. In her first match with the team, graduate transfer Michaela Wright led the team in blocks with four. Redshirt sophomore Marley Banton led the team in digs with eight, while redshirt freshman Taylor Eisert and redshirt junior Samira Lawson Body were right behind her with seven and six respectively. The six set-points allowed in set three is the lowest since the Blue Raiders faced LA Tech, October 6, 2017.
Although the defense played well, that doesn't take away from how well the offense performed at Pete Mathews Coliseum. The Blue Raiders finished with 16 service aces, which is the highest amount of service aces in a match since September 9, 2017, when MT faced Morehead State. Banton's four aces Friday put her in seventh-place for all-time individual career service aces with 62. Banton needs seven more aces to pass former Blue Raider, Bailey Mason (2016-2018), for fourth place on the all-time list.
By the end of the match Head Coach Chuck Crawford was able to get the freshmen Olivia Lux, Melisa Töre, and Olivia Phillips much needed time on the court.
Middle Tennessee will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, August 27, as they face Gardner-Webb at 10:00 a.m. and Jacksonville State at 6:00 p.m to finish off the Gamecock Classic.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball)
MT's defense was suffocating, allowing a match-hitting percentage of .086 with a set low of -0.100 in set two. In her first match with the team, graduate transfer Michaela Wright led the team in blocks with four. Redshirt sophomore Marley Banton led the team in digs with eight, while redshirt freshman Taylor Eisert and redshirt junior Samira Lawson Body were right behind her with seven and six respectively. The six set-points allowed in set three is the lowest since the Blue Raiders faced LA Tech, October 6, 2017.
Although the defense played well, that doesn't take away from how well the offense performed at Pete Mathews Coliseum. The Blue Raiders finished with 16 service aces, which is the highest amount of service aces in a match since September 9, 2017, when MT faced Morehead State. Banton's four aces Friday put her in seventh-place for all-time individual career service aces with 62. Banton needs seven more aces to pass former Blue Raider, Bailey Mason (2016-2018), for fourth place on the all-time list.
By the end of the match Head Coach Chuck Crawford was able to get the freshmen Olivia Lux, Melisa Töre, and Olivia Phillips much needed time on the court.
Middle Tennessee will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, August 27, as they face Gardner-Webb at 10:00 a.m. and Jacksonville State at 6:00 p.m to finish off the Gamecock Classic.
FINAL | MT 3 - ASU 0
— MT Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) August 27, 2021
Couldn't ask for a better way to start the season! The Blue Raiders win their first match of the Gamecock Classic!⚡️#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/U33OHR0UdK
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball)
Team Stats
ALST
MTSU
Kills
18
31
Errors
13
6
Attempts
58
61
Hitting %
.086
.410
Points
21
52
Assists
18
26
Aces
3
16
Blocks
0
5
Game Leaders
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
5
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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