Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Wednesday, September 7
Richmond, KY
5:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
-52,00 CUSA
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Eastern Kentucky University
5-2,0-0ASUN
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Middle Tenn.
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Eastern Ky.
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Photo by: Braydin Sik/ MT Athletic Communications
MTSU Moves to 5-2 After Beating EKU in Four Sets
9/7/2022 8:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Senior Marley Banton dug up 21 balls for a 5.25 digs per set average
RICHMOND, Ky. — The Middle Tennessee volleyball team traveled to Eastern Kentucky, taking on the Colonels Wednesday night. The Blue Raiders cooled off after a first set win, but quickly bounced back in the middle of the third to take the four-set win home.
The Blue Raiders (5-2, 0-0 C-USA) came up big in a 3-1 win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (5-2, 0-0 ASUN) Wednesday afternoon. The win puts Middle Tennessee up five wins through seven matches, bringing them home for their first matches of the season at AMG this weekend. It was not a pretty night after the first set when you look at the hitting numbers, but the Blue Raiders dug deep and found a way to get possibly their hardest win of their young season after a four-hour bus ride to Richmond. MTSU was the first team to take the first set of a match from the Colonels this season, and after going down 19-20 in the third set, strung up a 18-5 run to put up an almost insurmountable lead in the fourth.
The Colonels were hitting away from senior Marley Banton, but she found a way to rack up 21 digs for a 5.25 digs per set average. Banton also hit home her 93rd career service ace in the win. Fresh off of winning Conference USA Freshman of the Week, Adri Rhoda led from the serving line with a career-high five service aces on the night. Rhoda also led MTSU with 12 kills, starting off hot with four kills on seven attempts in the first set.
By the Numbers
0.62: Rhoda is averaging 0.62 aces per set now on the season with 13 total aces through seven matches. Her average ranks in the top-50 in the nation.
5: This is the first time since 2013 that the Blue Raiders have racked up five wins in their first seven matches of the season.
23: Tonight marked 23 years since the two former Ohio Valley Conference foes faced off. The Blue Raiders have now won nine of their last 11 matches against EKU.
Blue Raider Notes
The Blue Raiders are finally coming home for matches as they will kick off the Blue Raider Invitational on Friday morning. MTSU will play Belmont, Grambling State, and UT Martin. There will be six total matches at the tournament and admission will be free.
Keeping Up with the Blue Raiders
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball).
The Blue Raiders (5-2, 0-0 C-USA) came up big in a 3-1 win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (5-2, 0-0 ASUN) Wednesday afternoon. The win puts Middle Tennessee up five wins through seven matches, bringing them home for their first matches of the season at AMG this weekend. It was not a pretty night after the first set when you look at the hitting numbers, but the Blue Raiders dug deep and found a way to get possibly their hardest win of their young season after a four-hour bus ride to Richmond. MTSU was the first team to take the first set of a match from the Colonels this season, and after going down 19-20 in the third set, strung up a 18-5 run to put up an almost insurmountable lead in the fourth.
The Colonels were hitting away from senior Marley Banton, but she found a way to rack up 21 digs for a 5.25 digs per set average. Banton also hit home her 93rd career service ace in the win. Fresh off of winning Conference USA Freshman of the Week, Adri Rhoda led from the serving line with a career-high five service aces on the night. Rhoda also led MTSU with 12 kills, starting off hot with four kills on seven attempts in the first set.
By the Numbers
0.62: Rhoda is averaging 0.62 aces per set now on the season with 13 total aces through seven matches. Her average ranks in the top-50 in the nation.
5: This is the first time since 2013 that the Blue Raiders have racked up five wins in their first seven matches of the season.
23: Tonight marked 23 years since the two former Ohio Valley Conference foes faced off. The Blue Raiders have now won nine of their last 11 matches against EKU.
Blue Raider Notes
- Banton is only seven aces away from 100, and 13 away from taking the number one spot for career aces in the 25-point rally scoring era. She is also just 52 digs away from hitting the 1,000-career digs mark.
The Blue Raiders are finally coming home for matches as they will kick off the Blue Raider Invitational on Friday morning. MTSU will play Belmont, Grambling State, and UT Martin. There will be six total matches at the tournament and admission will be free.
Keeping Up with the Blue Raiders
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Volleyball), Instagram (@mt_volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Volleyball).
Team Stats
MTSU
EKU
Kills
47
45
Errors
26
28
Attempts
146
140
Hitting %
.144
.121
Points
65
53
Assists
43
43
Aces
7
2
Blocks
11
6
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
5
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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