Featured Photo by Caitlyn Hajek
Story by Gary Davis
Middle Tennessee volleyball finished their series against FIU triumphant, winning both matches on the weekend.
Prior to the matchup, the Blue Raiders opened conference play with two straight losses; this would be the result of a tough, hard-fought road series against Sam Houston.
The first game of the weekend slate took place Friday evening.
The beginning of the first set consisted of MTSU playing with a surge of emotion. This led to MTSU jumping out to a 10-5 lead early.
Most responsible for the impressive spark would be Keira Booth as she led the charge with four kills
FIU took a timely timeout to sequester momentum. Afterward, the Panthers began to string along consistent play.
The Panthers attempted to claw themselves back from a deficit, and admittedly put pressure on MTSU, but the Blue Raiders ultimately prevailed to take the first set 25-23. Booth finished with eight kills.
The beginning of the second set played out like the first; the sole difference being that FIU showed sparks this time around. FIU would start the second set with a surge and invigoration as they took a 10-5 lead.
The quick FIU start forced a Blue Raider timeout.
MTSU made a modest attempt at a comeback, but ultimately the prior deficit, along with stellar Panther frontline play, proved to be too much. FIU took the second set 25-17.
The third match ended up being the tightest of the night. Both teams displayed grand levels of key plays, in unison with minor miscues that resulted in the match going down to the wire.
In the end, MTSU’s kill leader, Adriana Rhoda, led her team to victory by mustering up magnificent kills. MTSU went on to win the set 27-25.
The fourth, similar to the previous set, was close and tight knit, but it would ultimately be the key play of Rhoda and Aowyn Schrader, that led to MTSU pulling away. The Blue Raiders won 25-18 to take the first game of the series.
Despite being a freshman, Schrader was a major factor in her team’s victory. She recorded 11 kills on the night.
“Since the games have gone on, I’ve gotten more confident in trusting myself, which has allowed me to know just what to do,” Schrader said.
The second and final game of the series took place at noon Saturday.
At the start of the first set, FIU displayed a heightened level of focus; the obvious result of the previous night’s loss.
This intensity catapulted the Panthers to an early lead. The Blue Raiders would attempt to close the gap, but FIU continued to be relentless.
With the Panthers leading 15-10, the Blue Raiders burned a timeout.
Despite the deficit, the Blue Raiders continued to battle, which paid dividends later in the set.
MTSU went on a staunch scoring run that forced FIU to take a timeout. The Panther’s attempt to squash Blue Raider momentum, did not work.
The Blue Raiders continued flourishing and firing on all cylinders, capping off the comeback with a 29-27 victory.
In the second set, FIU started the game again with a heightened intensity resulting in a slight lead. With the home crowd behind them, MTSU quickly closed said deficit.
Midway through the set, MTSU, playing in full force, took a two-point lead resulting in a FIU timeout.
The Panthers looked to start a comeback, but MTSU denied them the opportunity. The Blue Raiders won the set 25-22.
Despite being down 2-0, FIU showed valiant effort in the third set. unfortunately for the Panthers it would soon become obvious that the MTSU momentum gained from prior sets proved too much for FIU. The Blue Raiders went on to win the set 26-24.
Once 0-2 in conference play, Middle Tennessee now sits at an even 2-2. With their heads now above water, the next half of the season appears much more favorable.
Despite not quite being where they want to be overall, the Blue Raiders have continued to show resilience and grit each game.
“Our motivation is seeing that everyone has so much potential, and it just needs to click together,” senior outside hitter Laure Jensen said. “We just have to learn how to work as one unit, and it’s motivational to know what we can be.”
Gary Davis is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines
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