Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Blue Raider women’s athletics pick up big wins in early fall action
9/5/2023 7:08:00 PM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It was an action-packed Labor Day weekend for the Blue Raiders, but a particularly successful one for the women's programs on campus in Murfreesboro, with wins all over the country against all sorts of opponents. Here's a quick rundown on the wins and honors coming MTSU's way from last week!
Women's Golf's Kendall Maynard takes First Place in first appearance as a Blue Raider
In her first tournament with MTSU since transferring from Belmont, Kendall Maynard already wrote her name down in the Blue Raider record book, taking first place as an individual at the USA Intercollegiate with a 7-under par 209 for Middle Tennessee Women's Golf's first individual tournament title as a program since 2017!
Maynard tied Jenna Buris, the last individual tournament winner for the Blue Raiders, with the fourth-lowest 54-hole score in program history in Mobile.
MTSU finished fourth as a team in their first tournament of the season. Freshman Ella Manley also carded a top ten finish, shooting a one-over par 217, the fifth-best 54-hole score by a freshman in program history.
Cross Country excels at Memphis Twilight Classic
The Blue Raider cross country season once again started off strong in Memphis over Labor Day weekend, with the women's program beating out Alabama for first place with a team score of 59 points.
Faith Nyathi led the way with a first-place finish and a personal best time in the 5k of 17:05.91s, earning her Athlete of the Week honors from Conference USA on Tuesday. Right behind her in second place was Purity Sanga, who ran a time of 17:30.60s.
The men's program also posted a strong score, finishing second as a team with a pair of runners also going 1-2. Habtamu Geta crushed his 4-mile time with a new personal best time of 19.24.84s in his first-place finish. Brian Kiptoo was a close second place with four seconds of separation with a time of 19:28.18s in his first race as a freshman.
Soccer erupts late, dominates Cleveland State 3-0
It was a thrilling Sunday afternoon on International Day at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium as the Middle Tennessee soccer team erupted late with two late goals to blast past Cleveland State 3-0. With the win, MTSU has already surpassed their win total from the previous season entering a crucial week against in-state non-conference opponents.
Idun Kvalle scored the opener in the 21st minute, smashing a screamer off the right win over the top of the Vikings keeper into the top left corner.
But it would be Elizabeth Slavinsky off the bench that would help MTSU ice the game in the closing minutes, first assisting on Manon Lebargy's chip over the keeper in the 80th minute, then following it up with a headed goal in the 82nd minute, both past an unsportsmanlike Cleveland State keeper, upset over her team getting drawn offside 11 times on Sunday.
MTSU hosts Chattanooga on Thursday at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Volleyball snags two sweeps to wrap up weekend in Iowa
Middle Tennessee volleyball picked up its first two wins of the season in dominant fashion this weekend in Iowa City at the Fryfest Invitational, sweeping South Dakota State and Kent State to enter this weekend's trip to Auburn with a plethora of momentum.
The Blue Raiders hit 0.373 as a team against the Jackrabbits and 0.418 against the Golden Flashes. Assisting on 84 of those 99 kills across the two games was setter Taylor Eisert, who was named Setter of the Week this week by the Conference USA office.
Eisert ranks second in program history with 2,569 career assists, needing 303 more assists to tie the current 25-point era program record for assists in a career at 2,872.
Football prepares for second SEC road trip, this time to Missouri
Following a tough Saturday in Tuscaloosa, things don't get much easier for Middle Tennessee football this coming weekend, as the Blue Raiders travel to take on Missouri at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the Blue Raider Radio Network, with TV coverage on SEC Network Plus.
The last time the Blue Raiders played the Tigers, MTSU came out on top in Columbia in a thrilling 51-45 game in 2016 on the Tigers' homecoming. But a lot has changed for both programs since that game, with many of those players on MTSU's roster, including four-touchdown quarterback Brent Stockstill and 200+ yard rushing I'Tavius Mathers, now on staff in Murfreesboro. The changes for MTSU might pale in comparison to those for the Tigers, as Rick Stockstill pointed out he doesn't think a single coach from that 2016 game is still on Missouri's staff.
The experience in those types of games can be relayed from coach to current player, as quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said of the advice Brent Stockstill gave to him this week.
"It's the same as when you play any team who's really good, you have to be perfect, you can't give them anything," Vattiato said. "Eliminate all types of penalties, you have to execute on your drives, you have to finish. You get in the red zone, you need touchdowns, not field goals. I think that's really important when you're playing a really good team in Missouri."
The Tigers are known for their strong defensive front, something Rick Stockstill said can be attributed to the athleticism at all levels of the Mizzou defense.
"It's a high-pressure defense," Stockstill said. "They're going to come after you not only with their secondary but with their linebackers and try to create a lot of pressure."
Offensively, safety Tra Fluellen said the speed of the Tigers' skill players as well as their offense will provide a similar challenge to what the Blue Raider defense has experienced in camp against Mitch Stewart's tempo scheme.
"They have really athletic receivers and a really fast-paced offense," Fluellen said. "Preparation will be pretty similar to fall camp, going fast tempo and really working on man coverage."
Missouri Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz was very complimentary of MTSU during his weekly availability on Tuesday, highlighting the speed of the Blue Raider offense at its skill positions as well as the challenging schematic puzzle Scott Shafer presents with his multiple fronts and blitz packages. Drinkwitz said everything MTSU does goes back to one person.
"It's a product of how good of a coach Coach Stockstill is, how much command he has," Drinkwitz said.
"His fingerprints are all over the program in philosophy design, play design. They're coming to win the game. They're coming to score points. They're coming to give their offense as many cracks at it as they can. And defensively, they're going to tie into that philosophy by being aggressive to get the ball back and blitz and force turnovers."
Men's Basketball announces return of Reggie Upshaw to Murfreesboro
One of the all-time greats is returning to Middle Tennessee men's basketball, as head coach Nick McDevitt is adding Reggie Upshaw to the Blue Raiders' staff as Coordinator of Player Development.
"I am thrilled to be able to welcome Reggie Upshaw back home," McDevitt said. "He was a great player during his time at Middle Tennessee and was a key member of some great teams. He has a tremendous amount of pride in this university and basketball program. His knowledge and experiences will benefit our players greatly."
A Blue Raider from 2013-17, Upshaw returns to Murfreesboro after a seven-year professional career. He finished his Blue Raider playing career in the top five on MTSU's all-time lists in points scored (fifth – 1,571), rebounds (fourth – 910), field goals made (fifth – 598), steals (fourth – 151), blocks (fifth – 110), games played (tied for first – 140), starts (second – 115) and minutes played (second – 3,965). He led MTSU to 99 wins and a 52-18 Conference USA mark.
"I'm excited to be back at MTSU as part of the staff," Upshaw said. "MTSU has always been home for me, so coming back and being able to give back to this program after everything the program has given me is a huge blessing. I look forward to getting to work with Coach McDevitt and the rest of the staff and the players to continue the success that MTSU has been having."
Baseball restocks coaching staff with two new hires
Head Coach Jerry Meyers announced the addition of two new assistant coaches to the Blue Raider Baseball program on Tuesday, hiring Ryan Huber from Memphis and Adam Wisniewski from Lincoln Memorial University.
Huber, who will work primarily with the Blue Raider fielders, guided a defense which consistently ranked at or near the top of the American Athletic Conference in fielding percentage during his time with the Tigers. Wisniewski, who played for Meyers when the head coach led the Old Dominion program, will work with the Blue Raider pitching staff.
Full Roster announced for Lady Raiders in 2023-24
It took a little extra time thanks to all the new international players coming into Murfreesboro, but your 2023-24 Lady Raiders roster is finalized and released!
You can find the full roster right here on GoBlueRaiders.com under the women's basketball tab, but some fun notes from me on the roster reveal.
Women's Golf's Kendall Maynard takes First Place in first appearance as a Blue Raider
In her first tournament with MTSU since transferring from Belmont, Kendall Maynard already wrote her name down in the Blue Raider record book, taking first place as an individual at the USA Intercollegiate with a 7-under par 209 for Middle Tennessee Women's Golf's first individual tournament title as a program since 2017!
Kendall Maynard is the first Blue Raider individual champion since 2017! pic.twitter.com/ZKiMY58tbv
— Middle Tennessee Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) September 4, 2023
Maynard tied Jenna Buris, the last individual tournament winner for the Blue Raiders, with the fourth-lowest 54-hole score in program history in Mobile.
MTSU finished fourth as a team in their first tournament of the season. Freshman Ella Manley also carded a top ten finish, shooting a one-over par 217, the fifth-best 54-hole score by a freshman in program history.
The fifth-lowest tournament score by a freshman in program history! pic.twitter.com/GJKNEvBr1c
— Middle Tennessee Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) September 4, 2023
Cross Country excels at Memphis Twilight Classic
The Blue Raider cross country season once again started off strong in Memphis over Labor Day weekend, with the women's program beating out Alabama for first place with a team score of 59 points.
Faith Nyathi led the way with a first-place finish and a personal best time in the 5k of 17:05.91s, earning her Athlete of the Week honors from Conference USA on Tuesday. Right behind her in second place was Purity Sanga, who ran a time of 17:30.60s.
🏃♀️ ATHLETE OF THE WEEK 🏃♀️
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 5, 2023
presented by Blenders Eyewear //
🏅1️⃣ Faith Nyathi, @MT_TrackField#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/9rkdEFhbZi pic.twitter.com/dWtLm5uAPg
Women's team with a strong start in their opener! 🥇
— Middle Tennessee XC/Track & Field (@MT_TrackField) September 3, 2023
Faith Nyathi led the way with a time of 17:05.91s and Purity Sanga in second at 17:30.60s.#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/vLRigSTqvM
The men's program also posted a strong score, finishing second as a team with a pair of runners also going 1-2. Habtamu Geta crushed his 4-mile time with a new personal best time of 19.24.84s in his first-place finish. Brian Kiptoo was a close second place with four seconds of separation with a time of 19:28.18s in his first race as a freshman.
Soccer erupts late, dominates Cleveland State 3-0
It was a thrilling Sunday afternoon on International Day at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium as the Middle Tennessee soccer team erupted late with two late goals to blast past Cleveland State 3-0. With the win, MTSU has already surpassed their win total from the previous season entering a crucial week against in-state non-conference opponents.
Idun Kvalle scored the opener in the 21st minute, smashing a screamer off the right win over the top of the Vikings keeper into the top left corner.
Textbook 📕 #BLUEnited | #DripByDrip pic.twitter.com/fxnfa2dbZs
— Middle Tennessee Soccer (@MT_Soccer) September 3, 2023
But it would be Elizabeth Slavinsky off the bench that would help MTSU ice the game in the closing minutes, first assisting on Manon Lebargy's chip over the keeper in the 80th minute, then following it up with a headed goal in the 82nd minute, both past an unsportsmanlike Cleveland State keeper, upset over her team getting drawn offside 11 times on Sunday.
Lebargy makes it count! https://t.co/UNpQX73tfM pic.twitter.com/NPr03o9GlM
— Middle Tennessee Soccer (@MT_Soccer) September 3, 2023
On 🎯 https://t.co/5fCKG8XRDY pic.twitter.com/ciqMTYEDOO
— Middle Tennessee Soccer (@MT_Soccer) September 3, 2023
MTSU hosts Chattanooga on Thursday at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Volleyball snags two sweeps to wrap up weekend in Iowa
Middle Tennessee volleyball picked up its first two wins of the season in dominant fashion this weekend in Iowa City at the Fryfest Invitational, sweeping South Dakota State and Kent State to enter this weekend's trip to Auburn with a plethora of momentum.
The Blue Raiders hit 0.373 as a team against the Jackrabbits and 0.418 against the Golden Flashes. Assisting on 84 of those 99 kills across the two games was setter Taylor Eisert, who was named Setter of the Week this week by the Conference USA office.
🏐 SETTER OF THE WEEK 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 4, 2023
presented by Blenders Eyewear //
🏅1️⃣ Taylor Eisert, @MT_Volleyball#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/sB39Uj6XtK pic.twitter.com/AmjTyaNWZq
Eisert ranks second in program history with 2,569 career assists, needing 303 more assists to tie the current 25-point era program record for assists in a career at 2,872.
Football prepares for second SEC road trip, this time to Missouri
Following a tough Saturday in Tuscaloosa, things don't get much easier for Middle Tennessee football this coming weekend, as the Blue Raiders travel to take on Missouri at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the Blue Raider Radio Network, with TV coverage on SEC Network Plus.
The last time the Blue Raiders played the Tigers, MTSU came out on top in Columbia in a thrilling 51-45 game in 2016 on the Tigers' homecoming. But a lot has changed for both programs since that game, with many of those players on MTSU's roster, including four-touchdown quarterback Brent Stockstill and 200+ yard rushing I'Tavius Mathers, now on staff in Murfreesboro. The changes for MTSU might pale in comparison to those for the Tigers, as Rick Stockstill pointed out he doesn't think a single coach from that 2016 game is still on Missouri's staff.
The experience in those types of games can be relayed from coach to current player, as quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said of the advice Brent Stockstill gave to him this week.
"It's the same as when you play any team who's really good, you have to be perfect, you can't give them anything," Vattiato said. "Eliminate all types of penalties, you have to execute on your drives, you have to finish. You get in the red zone, you need touchdowns, not field goals. I think that's really important when you're playing a really good team in Missouri."
The Tigers are known for their strong defensive front, something Rick Stockstill said can be attributed to the athleticism at all levels of the Mizzou defense.
"It's a high-pressure defense," Stockstill said. "They're going to come after you not only with their secondary but with their linebackers and try to create a lot of pressure."
Offensively, safety Tra Fluellen said the speed of the Tigers' skill players as well as their offense will provide a similar challenge to what the Blue Raider defense has experienced in camp against Mitch Stewart's tempo scheme.
"They have really athletic receivers and a really fast-paced offense," Fluellen said. "Preparation will be pretty similar to fall camp, going fast tempo and really working on man coverage."
Missouri Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz was very complimentary of MTSU during his weekly availability on Tuesday, highlighting the speed of the Blue Raider offense at its skill positions as well as the challenging schematic puzzle Scott Shafer presents with his multiple fronts and blitz packages. Drinkwitz said everything MTSU does goes back to one person.
"It's a product of how good of a coach Coach Stockstill is, how much command he has," Drinkwitz said.
"His fingerprints are all over the program in philosophy design, play design. They're coming to win the game. They're coming to score points. They're coming to give their offense as many cracks at it as they can. And defensively, they're going to tie into that philosophy by being aggressive to get the ball back and blitz and force turnovers."
Men's Basketball announces return of Reggie Upshaw to Murfreesboro
One of the all-time greats is returning to Middle Tennessee men's basketball, as head coach Nick McDevitt is adding Reggie Upshaw to the Blue Raiders' staff as Coordinator of Player Development.
"I am thrilled to be able to welcome Reggie Upshaw back home," McDevitt said. "He was a great player during his time at Middle Tennessee and was a key member of some great teams. He has a tremendous amount of pride in this university and basketball program. His knowledge and experiences will benefit our players greatly."
He's coming home! Reggie Upshaw is joining @MTCoachNick's staff as Coordinator of Player Development!https://t.co/scTPFUdBBi#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/0zavQxsUWL
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) September 4, 2023
A Blue Raider from 2013-17, Upshaw returns to Murfreesboro after a seven-year professional career. He finished his Blue Raider playing career in the top five on MTSU's all-time lists in points scored (fifth – 1,571), rebounds (fourth – 910), field goals made (fifth – 598), steals (fourth – 151), blocks (fifth – 110), games played (tied for first – 140), starts (second – 115) and minutes played (second – 3,965). He led MTSU to 99 wins and a 52-18 Conference USA mark.
"I'm excited to be back at MTSU as part of the staff," Upshaw said. "MTSU has always been home for me, so coming back and being able to give back to this program after everything the program has given me is a huge blessing. I look forward to getting to work with Coach McDevitt and the rest of the staff and the players to continue the success that MTSU has been having."
Baseball restocks coaching staff with two new hires
Head Coach Jerry Meyers announced the addition of two new assistant coaches to the Blue Raider Baseball program on Tuesday, hiring Ryan Huber from Memphis and Adam Wisniewski from Lincoln Memorial University.
Welcome to the 'Boro!
— Middle Tennessee Baseball (@MT_Baseball) September 5, 2023
We're excited to announce the hires of our two newest assistant coaches, Ryan Huber and Adam Wisniewski!
Read more! ⤵️
🔗https://t.co/nlmc7BmI8c#BLUEnited | #BlueCrew pic.twitter.com/xw0kabA6T5
Huber, who will work primarily with the Blue Raider fielders, guided a defense which consistently ranked at or near the top of the American Athletic Conference in fielding percentage during his time with the Tigers. Wisniewski, who played for Meyers when the head coach led the Old Dominion program, will work with the Blue Raider pitching staff.
Full Roster announced for Lady Raiders in 2023-24
It took a little extra time thanks to all the new international players coming into Murfreesboro, but your 2023-24 Lady Raiders roster is finalized and released!
Presenting your 2023-24 Lady Raiders 🔵⚫️#BLUEnited | #TrueBlue pic.twitter.com/jHtlHZtVwL
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) September 1, 2023
You can find the full roster right here on GoBlueRaiders.com under the women's basketball tab, but some fun notes from me on the roster reveal.
- The Lady Raiders have as many players on their roster from Tennessee (seven) as they do from countries outside of the United States (seven: three from Russia, one from Spain, Rwanda, Hungary and Spain).
- Four players listed at 6 foot 3 inches or taller (Meioshe Mason, Anastasiia Boldyreva, Iullia Grabovskaia and Jada Grannum)
- The first ever No. 9 in Lady Raiders history (Dora Van Rijs).
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Football
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
M
/ Women's Soccer
/ Women's Golf
C
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Golf
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Basketball
QB
/ FootballFormer Head MBB Coach Kermit Davis - 10th Anniversary of NCAA win over MSU
Tuesday, March 17
MT Women's Basketball | Together: Episode Twelve | Find a way
Saturday, March 14
MTSU Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference vs FIU on 3/05/26
Friday, March 06
MT Women's Basketball | Together: Episode Eleven | Visualize Yourself
Friday, March 06
