Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK — Volleyball starts C-USA Play with a Sweep
9/27/2021 4:00:00 PM | General
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It was a big weekend in Alumni Memorial Gym for the Middle Tennessee volleyball team, as the Blue Raiders swept Charlotte to open C-USA 2-0 for the first time since 2013.
Led by libero Marley Banton's career high 30 digs and right side Kayla Henley's double-double (16 kills, 15 digs), MT grinded out a tough five set win on Saturday night after defeating the 49ers in four sets the evening prior. Outside hitter Melisa Nur Temiz tallied three aces in the win, while setter Taylor Eisert set a new career high in assists with 56. The redshirt freshman dished out 106 total assists over the two-match series, while Samira Lawson Body led all hitters with 31 total kills.
Today, Conference USA announced Banton was their defensive player of the week. The redshirt sophomore tallied 57 total digs during the weekend, and also added in four service aces on Friday night and nine assists across the Blue Raiders sweep to steady MT to victory.
BLACK OUT GAME
MT Football finally returns home to Floyd Stadium this weekend for its annual Blackout game against Marshall at 6 p.m. The Ticket/BLACKOUT T-shirt combos are selling fast, so act now if you want to join in on what promises to be one of the best home environments of the season.
Fans can purchase their BLACKOUT game package that includes an end zone reserved ticket and the official game t-shirt NOW online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" or at the following locations:
- Textbook Brokers (1321 Greenland Drive)
- Raider Tees (910 Ridgely Road)
- Alumni Hall (located at The Avenue)
- Phillips Bookstore (on campus, Student Union)
- Blue Raider ticket office (Gate 1A, Floyd Stadium)
Fans who purchase their package online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" will be able to pick up their t-shirts through a drive thru pick up in the Greenland Drive parking lot on only ONE remaining date: Thursday, September 30, from 4–6 p.m.
T-shirt sizes remain on a first come, first serve basis.
Men's Tennis Shines at ITA Regionals
Fully jumping into the individual play segment of the tennis season, Blue Raider men's tennis had an excellent week at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championship in Knoxville, Tenn.
National ranked senior Stjin Slump made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the singles main draw, the farthest of any Blue Raider competing on the weekend in singles. Slump also teamed up with fellow senior Pavel Motl to earn a spot in the semifinals of the doubles main draw. Both of Slump's runs ended at the hands of Kentucky's Joshua Lapadat, who defeated him in the singles quarters and doubles semis in three sets to end the Blue Raiders' runs in the main draw.
In the consolation draw, Stephan Holis and Motl both advanced as far as the semifinals when they were finally matched up with one another. Holis advanced via walkover to the Consolation final, where he took second on the weekend to Kentucky's Johnathan Sorbo.
Earlier in the tournament, Fransico Rocha made it to the round of 32 in the singles main draw, while the duo of Rocha and Chris Edge gave the Blue Raiders a second team in the Round of 16 for the doubles main draw.
The ITA Regional capped off a big week for men's tennis, as head coach Jimmy Borendame was named the USPTA's 2021 Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year last Thursday. It was Borendame's eighth different coach of the year award in his ten seasons at the helm of the Blue Raider program.
"All of the credit goes to the people around me," Borendame said earlier last week. "I am lucky that I am surrounded by so many outstanding assistant coaches, amazing student-athletes, a very supportive staff and administration. There are so many people I want to thank. I am also thankful to my wife and two kids who support me in doing what I love and put up with me."
Looking Ahead to Marshall
Following a close loss on the road against Charlotte on Friday night, MT football is back in the saddle and finally back at home for Saturday's battle with Marshall in the annual Blackout game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Stadium.
"You don't really realize how much of a toll it can take on your body, you don't get to rest as much," safety Reed Blankenship said of the Blue Raiders recent slate of three straight road games. "But being back home, it's going to be great. I can't wait to be back in front of our crowd."
The Thundering Herd started 2021 strong, winning their first two games handily against Navy and N.C. Central, but have faltered the past two weeks with close losses to East Carolina and Appalachian State. First-year coach Charles Huff leads Marshall. He most recently was Nick Saban's running backs coach before taking over in Huntington.
"There's a lot of similarities to what Alabama has done the last couple of years," Stockstill said. "They're an explosive team offensively, they're going to take shots, they're going to max protect, and they're going to try to get it down the field on you."
This will be the third straight week MT will serve as their opponent's C-USA opener.
Nick Wolf Aces JT Poston Invitational
Graduate transfer Nick Wolf got his first round of the JT Poston Invitational off to a roaring start Monday, acing the second hole at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. The hole-in-one sparked Wolf to a score of 63 in his opening round, -8 at the par 71 course. The 63 equals the school record set in 2011 by Jason Millard.
The Blue Raiders are wrapping up their first 36 of 54 holes Monday evening. The team posted a total of -16 after their full first round in the morning session.
Basketball practice gets underway this week
Tuesday marks the first official day of practice for the 2021-22 NCAA men's and women's basketball seasons. Both sets of Blue Raiders have been wrapping up their off season workouts in preparation for the official start of the season this week.
Women's basketball will launch their season first with a scrimmage at home against Lane College on October 29. Men's basketball opens their season with a scrimmage against Brescia University (KY) on November 9 in the Murphy Center.
Hall of Fame induction at 3:30
The Blue Raider Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is scheduled to be inducted this weekend on the lawn outside the Kennon Hall of Fame building at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Included in this year's induction class are:
Led by libero Marley Banton's career high 30 digs and right side Kayla Henley's double-double (16 kills, 15 digs), MT grinded out a tough five set win on Saturday night after defeating the 49ers in four sets the evening prior. Outside hitter Melisa Nur Temiz tallied three aces in the win, while setter Taylor Eisert set a new career high in assists with 56. The redshirt freshman dished out 106 total assists over the two-match series, while Samira Lawson Body led all hitters with 31 total kills.
@KaylaHenley6 leaving it all out there for her teammates and going OFF!! Way to go Kylie 💪🏻💥 https://t.co/9CjgxoKNcQ
— Jenna Orner (@JennaOrner) September 26, 2021
Today, Conference USA announced Banton was their defensive player of the week. The redshirt sophomore tallied 57 total digs during the weekend, and also added in four service aces on Friday night and nine assists across the Blue Raiders sweep to steady MT to victory.
📢: Congratulations to @MT_Volleyball's Marley Banton (@marleybanton1), #CUSAVB Defensive Player of the Week presented by @surfandturfgolf! 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 27, 2021
🏅1️⃣ | #TheCUSAWay pic.twitter.com/exPPt5dEYs
BLACK OUT GAME
MT Football finally returns home to Floyd Stadium this weekend for its annual Blackout game against Marshall at 6 p.m. The Ticket/BLACKOUT T-shirt combos are selling fast, so act now if you want to join in on what promises to be one of the best home environments of the season.
Fans can purchase their BLACKOUT game package that includes an end zone reserved ticket and the official game t-shirt NOW online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" or at the following locations:
- Textbook Brokers (1321 Greenland Drive)
- Raider Tees (910 Ridgely Road)
- Alumni Hall (located at The Avenue)
- Phillips Bookstore (on campus, Student Union)
- Blue Raider ticket office (Gate 1A, Floyd Stadium)
Fans who purchase their package online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" will be able to pick up their t-shirts through a drive thru pick up in the Greenland Drive parking lot on only ONE remaining date: Thursday, September 30, from 4–6 p.m.
T-shirt sizes remain on a first come, first serve basis.
Men's Tennis Shines at ITA Regionals
Fully jumping into the individual play segment of the tennis season, Blue Raider men's tennis had an excellent week at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championship in Knoxville, Tenn.
National ranked senior Stjin Slump made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the singles main draw, the farthest of any Blue Raider competing on the weekend in singles. Slump also teamed up with fellow senior Pavel Motl to earn a spot in the semifinals of the doubles main draw. Both of Slump's runs ended at the hands of Kentucky's Joshua Lapadat, who defeated him in the singles quarters and doubles semis in three sets to end the Blue Raiders' runs in the main draw.
In the consolation draw, Stephan Holis and Motl both advanced as far as the semifinals when they were finally matched up with one another. Holis advanced via walkover to the Consolation final, where he took second on the weekend to Kentucky's Johnathan Sorbo.
Earlier in the tournament, Fransico Rocha made it to the round of 32 in the singles main draw, while the duo of Rocha and Chris Edge gave the Blue Raiders a second team in the Round of 16 for the doubles main draw.
LETS GO BOYS!
— MT Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) September 25, 2021
Motl/Slump win 8-6#BlueRaiders | #MT ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/7zW67MVDLf
The ITA Regional capped off a big week for men's tennis, as head coach Jimmy Borendame was named the USPTA's 2021 Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year last Thursday. It was Borendame's eighth different coach of the year award in his ten seasons at the helm of the Blue Raider program.
"All of the credit goes to the people around me," Borendame said earlier last week. "I am lucky that I am surrounded by so many outstanding assistant coaches, amazing student-athletes, a very supportive staff and administration. There are so many people I want to thank. I am also thankful to my wife and two kids who support me in doing what I love and put up with me."
𝑳𝑬𝑻𝑺 𝑮𝑶! 🏆🏆🏆
— MT Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) September 23, 2021
Head Coach @CoachJimmyB was named the @USPTA_Tennis 2021 Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year.
>> https://t.co/cDAtihGDZd#BlueRaiders | #MT ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/habsiJj7sQ
Looking Ahead to Marshall
Following a close loss on the road against Charlotte on Friday night, MT football is back in the saddle and finally back at home for Saturday's battle with Marshall in the annual Blackout game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Stadium.
"You don't really realize how much of a toll it can take on your body, you don't get to rest as much," safety Reed Blankenship said of the Blue Raiders recent slate of three straight road games. "But being back home, it's going to be great. I can't wait to be back in front of our crowd."
The Thundering Herd started 2021 strong, winning their first two games handily against Navy and N.C. Central, but have faltered the past two weeks with close losses to East Carolina and Appalachian State. First-year coach Charles Huff leads Marshall. He most recently was Nick Saban's running backs coach before taking over in Huntington.
"There's a lot of similarities to what Alabama has done the last couple of years," Stockstill said. "They're an explosive team offensively, they're going to take shots, they're going to max protect, and they're going to try to get it down the field on you."
This will be the third straight week MT will serve as their opponent's C-USA opener.
Nick Wolf Aces JT Poston Invitational
Graduate transfer Nick Wolf got his first round of the JT Poston Invitational off to a roaring start Monday, acing the second hole at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. The hole-in-one sparked Wolf to a score of 63 in his opening round, -8 at the par 71 course. The 63 equals the school record set in 2011 by Jason Millard.
The Blue Raiders are wrapping up their first 36 of 54 holes Monday evening. The team posted a total of -16 after their full first round in the morning session.
🐺=♠️@nick_wolf18 with the hole in one on his second hole of the day! #BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/osSFjdg0IC
— MT Men's Golf (@MT_MGolf) September 27, 2021
Basketball practice gets underway this week
Tuesday marks the first official day of practice for the 2021-22 NCAA men's and women's basketball seasons. Both sets of Blue Raiders have been wrapping up their off season workouts in preparation for the official start of the season this week.
Women's basketball will launch their season first with a scrimmage at home against Lane College on October 29. Men's basketball opens their season with a scrimmage against Brescia University (KY) on November 9 in the Murphy Center.
You can't feel the energy in a room, if you're not in the room! pic.twitter.com/pyVp8fQk1y
— Wes Long (@MT_CoachWesLong) September 22, 2021
It's a great day to get better. #BlueRaiders | #TrueBlue pic.twitter.com/Q4fJbAwwUl
— MT Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) September 20, 2021
Hall of Fame induction at 3:30
The Blue Raider Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is scheduled to be inducted this weekend on the lawn outside the Kennon Hall of Fame building at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Included in this year's induction class are:
- Rawley Bishop (baseball, 2005-09)
- Nathaniel Claybrooks (football, 1992-95)
- Jason Millard (men's golf, 2007-11)
- Patrick Simpson (wrestling, 1975-79)
- Jamie Thomatis (women's basketball, 1998-02)
- Desmond "Boogie" Yates (men's basketball, 2006-10)
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