From stepping onto the floor of Alumni Memorial Gym in early spring for Middle Tennessee’s first volleyball practice of the 2025 season to taking the court in late fall to face Missouri State University in the season finale, four players knew this season would be their last. 

While on different paths, all four decided to finish their college career as part of a program undergoing a major rebuild. For first-year coach Alexa Keckler, it’s a decision that she doesn’t take for granted. 

“I was really grateful for the opportunity to coach our four seniors,” Keckler said. “For them to be a part of a new program means a lot. I’m grateful for the foundation they helped set.”                                                                                                                                         

The four Blue Raiders leaving the program are Caroline Macander, Marie Lowell, Payton Deidesheimer and Isil Yilmaz. Their paths may have differed, but each proved valuable in the program’s new era.   

Caroline Macander

After limited action in her first three seasons, Macander earned a starting spot in her final season as a Blue Raider. Despite having little starting experience, Macander showed she belonged, delivering strong performances throughout the season. 

After earning Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors after opening weekend, Macander finished the season top five in Conference USA in assists with 885 and 16 double-doubles, the most by a Blue Raider in a single season during the rally scoring era. 

Despite knowing it was her last game at Middle Tennessee, Macander didn’t allow herself to take it in until the end of the game. 

“After the game, my emotions really kicked in,” Macander said. “I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my experience here, and all the amazing people I have met here.”  

When looking back on her volleyball career, Macander said earning a starting spot in her senior year as part of the program’s new era is her greatest accomplishment. 

“Becoming a starter, my senior year is the accomplishment I’m most proud of,” Macander said. “I was told a lot that I wouldn’t see the court a lot in college and that I wasn’t good enough. But I just kept working and I did it.”  

Marie Lowell

After suffering a season-ending injury before the start of last season and being forced to recover throughout, Lowell was grateful to be on the court again.  

With hard work and dedication, Lowell became one of the team’s biggest leaders and finished the season as one of MTSU’s top defensive specialists, recording 155 digs. 

Stepping onto the Alumni Memorial Gym floor to be recognized for senior day, Lowell was overcome by emotions, realizing that this was the last game of her career. 

“I was upset to start,” Lowell said. “I’m just grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had, and I just went out knowing I’m going to give everything I have in this game. Once I played a couple of points, I felt fine, but I was a crying mess before.”  

While Lowell learned many lessons throughout her volleyball journey, none was greater than perseverance. She believes this quality will make her unstoppable in the next chapter of her life. 

“Anything you put your mind to, you can do,” Lowell said. “For me, I know that’s true. If I want to do or be something, there’s no doubt in my mind that I can’t do it. I’ve had a really rough journey getting recruited and playing here, but I wouldn’t take it back. It’s made me well-equipped for life, and I know I can handle anything that comes my way.”   

Payton Deidesheimer

After three years as a member of the Austin Peay Governors, Deidesheimer decided to transfer to Middle Tennessee to finish her career.  

With her veteran experience, Deidesheimer became an integral piece in Keckler’s first season. She emerged as one of the team’s biggest leaders and was a major contributor to MTSU’s success. From start to finish, she was a fierce pin-hitter, recording 180 kills and proving to be a lethal defender with the team’s second-most blocks, with 56. 

After stepping off the college volleyball court for the last time, Deidesheimer considered how playing Division I volleyball has shaped her into the confident woman she is today.  

“You should never let anyone destroy your confidence,” Deidesheimer said. “You decide how you’re going to succeed. If you think you’re going to, then you will. I’ve had people who don’t believe in me, the recruiting process was hard. This journey has taught me so much about myself. Now, nobody can tell me that I can’t do something.” 

Despite being a part of the Blue Raiders program for one year, the bonds that she created will last a lifetime, she said.

“I’ll remember the people,” Deidesheimer said. “This team is really close on and off the court and that’s something I’m really grateful for because everybody’s had teams that haven’t been close and this team win or lose, we all support each other, and I’ve never felt so much support.”  

Isil Yilmaz

Desiring to take her volleyball career to the next level, Yilmaz decided to come to the United States. She spent four years playing at Odessa College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Despite finishing with a more than respectable career, she desired more. 

In her final year of eligibility, Yilmaz chose to finish her career as part of the Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based Blue Raider program. 

As with her previous stops, Yilmaz immediately made her presence felt. Throughout the season, she led on both sides of the ball, finishing second on the team in assists with 101 and leading the Blue Raiders in digs with 372. 

Having only a year of eligibility left, Yilmaz is grateful that MTSU’s coaches gave her an opportunity.  

“I found a place where I had the chance to be my best for my last season,” Yilmaz said. “The coaches gave me this opportunity, and for that, I’m extremely appreciative.”  

When looking at the totality of her collegiate volleyball journey, Yilmaz feels nothing but pride for all she’s accomplished.  

“I had a lot of people who didn’t believe that I could play in the USA,” Yilmaz said. “I didn’t even know the language, so they were bullying me. I had coaches that cut my scholarship because they didn’t like how I played. But I made it. I earned it. I feel like no one can ever say that I cannot do something because I will.” 

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