Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, August 28
Jacksonville, AL
10:00 AM
Middle Tennessee
-11,00 CUSA
2
vs
3
Gardner-Webb University
1-1,0-0Big South
1
2
3
4
5
F
Middle Tenn.
20
28
22
25
14
2
Gardner-Webb
25
26
25
8
16
3
Blue Raiders Cool Off on Second Day of Gamecock Classic
8/28/2021 10:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – After starting the Gamecock Classic off with a 3-0 win over Alabama State thanks to great defensive play, day two was a different story for the Blue Raiders, dropping matches to both Gardner-Webb (2-3) and Jacksonville State (0-3).
Middle Tennessee vs. Gardner-Webb Set-by-Set
The Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb got off to a good start in the first set against the Blue Raiders, winning it 25-20. The first set .239 hitting percentage of GWU compared to MT's .100 was evident, although the Blue Raiders were able to keep the point difference close.
Set two of the morning was a different story. The Blue Raiders were able to end the set on top 28-26, after an exciting back and forth run between the two teams. Redshirt sophomore Dasia Smith seemed to give the team some energy when she was in, leading the team with four points and three total blocks in the set.
The third set was full of lead changes just like the first two, but Gardner-Webb's attack was able to find the holes in the defense, besting MT 25-22. Redshirt Junior Samira Lawson Body led the Blue Raider attack most of the match, but she was essential to keeping things close in the third, hitting a .308 clip with five kills on 13 total attacks in the set.
Lawson Body led the attack again in the fourth set with 4 kills, outperforming her previous set's PCT with .571. The Runnin' Bulldogs defense disappeared, allowing the Blue Raiders to go on an 8-0 run with redshirt freshman Megan Turner serving. Middle Tennessee ended the set with a blazing side-out percentage of 100, seemingly having all the momentum heading into the final set, taking the fourth 25-8.
As soon as the momentum came, it walked out the door, as Gardner-Webb's defense tightened up, holding the Blue Raiders to a .083 hitting percentage in a 16-14 fifth set. Lawson Body was still on fire from the second set, till the end, improving her career match-high for kills from 16 to 19.
Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State Set-by-Set
The first set from the night match was likely the worst of the weekend for the Blue Raiders. The Gamecocks were able to go on an 11-0 run at one point due to multiple reasons, taking the set 25-12. Middle Tennessee struggled with errors all night ending with 18 total compared to Jacksonville State's six. JSU's ability to find the open spots on the floor on attack, while also stacking up blocks on defense proved to be the toughest task for the young Blue Raider team through three games.
The Blue Raiders looked way better in the second set, both offensively and defensively, but it still wasn't enough to stop the Gamecocks, dropping the set 25-22. Jacksonville State's .323 hitting percentage in the second was their match low, but any coach will tell you that is not low at all. Graduate transfer Michaela Wright through the first two sets looked great on the attack, along with Lawson Body's continued ability to stack up kills from the morning match.
By the third set, all of the Blue Raiders seemed to have cooled off beside Lawson Body. In the beginning, it was close, but the Gamecocks eventually pulled away with a 25-14 set. Freshman Olivia Lux got limited reps in the third but looked good defensively collecting a couple of great digs.
Samira ended the weekend with 33 kills, 30 alone in the two matches on Saturday. Wright led the Blue Raider defense with 10 total blocks at the Gamecock Classic, double the next teammate. Redshirt sophomore Marley Banton and redshirt freshman Taylor Eisert led the team in digs with 36 and 28 total respectively.
Although wins are paramount in sports, the Blue Raiders were able to learn a lot about themselves in Saturday's losses and will be able to use this new knowledge heading forward.
Up next, the Blue Raiders will host two matches in the Middle Tennessee Invitational, taking on North Alabama, September 3, at 6:00 p.m., and Alcorn State, September 4, at 11:00 a.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball).
Middle Tennessee vs. Gardner-Webb Set-by-Set
The Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb got off to a good start in the first set against the Blue Raiders, winning it 25-20. The first set .239 hitting percentage of GWU compared to MT's .100 was evident, although the Blue Raiders were able to keep the point difference close.
Set two of the morning was a different story. The Blue Raiders were able to end the set on top 28-26, after an exciting back and forth run between the two teams. Redshirt sophomore Dasia Smith seemed to give the team some energy when she was in, leading the team with four points and three total blocks in the set.
The third set was full of lead changes just like the first two, but Gardner-Webb's attack was able to find the holes in the defense, besting MT 25-22. Redshirt Junior Samira Lawson Body led the Blue Raider attack most of the match, but she was essential to keeping things close in the third, hitting a .308 clip with five kills on 13 total attacks in the set.
Lawson Body led the attack again in the fourth set with 4 kills, outperforming her previous set's PCT with .571. The Runnin' Bulldogs defense disappeared, allowing the Blue Raiders to go on an 8-0 run with redshirt freshman Megan Turner serving. Middle Tennessee ended the set with a blazing side-out percentage of 100, seemingly having all the momentum heading into the final set, taking the fourth 25-8.
As soon as the momentum came, it walked out the door, as Gardner-Webb's defense tightened up, holding the Blue Raiders to a .083 hitting percentage in a 16-14 fifth set. Lawson Body was still on fire from the second set, till the end, improving her career match-high for kills from 16 to 19.
Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State Set-by-Set
The first set from the night match was likely the worst of the weekend for the Blue Raiders. The Gamecocks were able to go on an 11-0 run at one point due to multiple reasons, taking the set 25-12. Middle Tennessee struggled with errors all night ending with 18 total compared to Jacksonville State's six. JSU's ability to find the open spots on the floor on attack, while also stacking up blocks on defense proved to be the toughest task for the young Blue Raider team through three games.
The Blue Raiders looked way better in the second set, both offensively and defensively, but it still wasn't enough to stop the Gamecocks, dropping the set 25-22. Jacksonville State's .323 hitting percentage in the second was their match low, but any coach will tell you that is not low at all. Graduate transfer Michaela Wright through the first two sets looked great on the attack, along with Lawson Body's continued ability to stack up kills from the morning match.
By the third set, all of the Blue Raiders seemed to have cooled off beside Lawson Body. In the beginning, it was close, but the Gamecocks eventually pulled away with a 25-14 set. Freshman Olivia Lux got limited reps in the third but looked good defensively collecting a couple of great digs.
Samira ended the weekend with 33 kills, 30 alone in the two matches on Saturday. Wright led the Blue Raider defense with 10 total blocks at the Gamecock Classic, double the next teammate. Redshirt sophomore Marley Banton and redshirt freshman Taylor Eisert led the team in digs with 36 and 28 total respectively.
Although wins are paramount in sports, the Blue Raiders were able to learn a lot about themselves in Saturday's losses and will be able to use this new knowledge heading forward.
Up next, the Blue Raiders will host two matches in the Middle Tennessee Invitational, taking on North Alabama, September 3, at 6:00 p.m., and Alcorn State, September 4, at 11:00 a.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball).
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Team Stats
MTSU
GW
Kills
55
57
Errors
26
31
Attempts
176
172
Hitting %
.165
.151
Points
72
63
Assists
44
49
Aces
7
2
Blocks
10
4
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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