Featured Photo by Caitlyn Hajek
Story by David Cassman
Middle Tennessee volleyball (2-4) lost all three sets in its match against Arkansas State (5-1) on Sunday afternoon in Alumni Memorial Gymnasium.
The Blue Raiders held a two-game win streak going into the matchup but the Red Wolves ended that streak before it got any longer.
The first set began with the Red Wolves taking control early, as they scored five consecutive points, only to have the Blue Raiders respond with five of their own. Adriana Rhoda had four kills in the first set, but the Red Wolves would go on to win the set 25-21.
Set number two would be even closer than the first, as the two teams would trade points, but the outcome for the Blue Raiders would be the same. The Red Wolves won set number two 25-23, adding to the pressure on the Blue Raiders.
The Blue Raiders, now down 2-0, tried to adjust between the second and third sets by replacing freshman Ally Magre with redshirt sophomore Alivia Bronner as libero.
What worked for the Blue Raiders in the third set eventually fell apart in the end. The Blue Raiders lost a five-point lead as the Red Wolves came back to take the set 25-23, winning the match 3-0.
“I think we limited our offensive errors, and our ball distribution was better,” associate head coach Jenna Orner said. “But we do need to work on executing our serves better, and building team chemistry, which comes with time.”
David Cassman is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines
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