Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, September 5
Nashville, Tenn.
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
4-1,0-0CUSA
3
vs
1
South Alabama
2-3,1-0Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Alabama | 25 | 8 | 18 | 23 | 1 |
| Middle Tenn. | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Keeps Momentum, Defeats South Alabama at Belmont Invitational
9/5/2026 7:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Middle Tennessee volleyball team defeated South Alabama Saturday for their second consecutive win at the Belmont Invitational at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
With the win, MTSU (4-1) is off to its best start since 2009, when the team started the season 5-0.
Marianne Garcia recorded the first double-double of her career, recording 11 assists and 17 digs. Her double-double is the first for MTSU this season and first of her career.
Gabrielle Clinkscale tied her career-high in kills with 20 in the match. Logan Carr followed with 14 kills, her highest mark since transferring to the Blue Raiders in 2025.
Middle Tennessee put in a defensive masterclass on the day, out-digging the Jaguars (2-3) 66-55 on the day. The Blue Raiders also held South Alabama to a .142 hitting percentage.
Veronica Sierzant led the way in assists with 43 and Kendall Mignerey tied her career-high in aces with three.
After dropping the first set 25-22, Middle Tennessee dominated the second set, winning 25-8, its biggest set win of the season. Clinkscale completed the set win with a kill.
MTSU held South Alabama under 20 for the second consecutive set in the third, taking a 2-1 lead after Sophia Henry picked up a set-winning kill.
A tight fourth set saw 13 deadlocks before MTSU pulled away at 23-23. Carr's 14th kill and a match-winning ace by Veronica Sierzant closed the victory.
Notes
--Middle Tennessee is now 20-1 all-time against South Alabama.
--Head coach Alexa Keckler is now 15-18 in her tenure at MTSU.
--Ellie Watts tied her career-high in sets played with four
Up Next
Middle Tennessee continues the Belmont Invitational against the hosting Bruins Sunday. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
Follow The Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raider Volleyball on Instagram (@mt_volleyball), X (@MT_Volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Volleyball).
With the win, MTSU (4-1) is off to its best start since 2009, when the team started the season 5-0.
Marianne Garcia recorded the first double-double of her career, recording 11 assists and 17 digs. Her double-double is the first for MTSU this season and first of her career.
Gabrielle Clinkscale tied her career-high in kills with 20 in the match. Logan Carr followed with 14 kills, her highest mark since transferring to the Blue Raiders in 2025.
Middle Tennessee put in a defensive masterclass on the day, out-digging the Jaguars (2-3) 66-55 on the day. The Blue Raiders also held South Alabama to a .142 hitting percentage.
Veronica Sierzant led the way in assists with 43 and Kendall Mignerey tied her career-high in aces with three.
After dropping the first set 25-22, Middle Tennessee dominated the second set, winning 25-8, its biggest set win of the season. Clinkscale completed the set win with a kill.
MTSU held South Alabama under 20 for the second consecutive set in the third, taking a 2-1 lead after Sophia Henry picked up a set-winning kill.
A tight fourth set saw 13 deadlocks before MTSU pulled away at 23-23. Carr's 14th kill and a match-winning ace by Veronica Sierzant closed the victory.
Notes
--Middle Tennessee is now 20-1 all-time against South Alabama.
--Head coach Alexa Keckler is now 15-18 in her tenure at MTSU.
--Ellie Watts tied her career-high in sets played with four
Up Next
Middle Tennessee continues the Belmont Invitational against the hosting Bruins Sunday. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
Follow The Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raider Volleyball on Instagram (@mt_volleyball), X (@MT_Volleyball), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Volleyball).
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
USA
MTSU
Kills
37
57
Errors
19
25
Attempts
127
143
Hitting %
.142
.224
Points
50.0
74.0
Assists
37
56
Aces
6
9
Blocks
7
8
Game Leaders
Kills
20
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
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