The Blue Raiders (9-19, 5-9 C-USA) hosted University of Alabama-Birmingham (6-23, 3-11 C-USA) at Alumni Memorial Gym Sunday afternoon, taking a three-set sweep in the Senior night contest.
Led by junior Chelsea Ross, the Blue Raiders moved one win away from clinching a spot in the C-USA tournament.
The MTSU offense flowed through Ross, who finished the match with 15 kills, nine digs and six aces. Four other Blue Raiders finished the day with five kills a piece.
Helping facilitate the offense was freshman Haley Morton and senior Ailime de Freitas, as both recorded 18 assists each. Morton’s 20 assists per game streak ended today at three games.
Defensively, freshman Jacqueline Lux led the team with 13 digs. Seniors Eseta Maka, Monet Mashall and sophomore Jazmyne Johnson had three blocks. Freshman LaDaisha Gillard led the team with four blocks.
“Chelsea Ross had an outstanding match in the front and back row. I thought our two middles, Monet Marshall and LaDaisha Gillard, both played outstanding as well. We had a very good team effort today,” MTSU head coach Matt Peck said.
The Blue Raiders had lost four straight contests entering a matchup against Louisiana Tech Nov. 7.
MTSU followed up that 3-0 sweep over Louisiana Tech with another 3-0 sweep, this time against UAB.
With these back-to-back sweeps, Middle Tennessee has managed to sneak into the C-USA Tournament picture.
“Our team knew a chance to get to the conference tournament was on the line today, and they responded very well,” Coach Peck said.
After the game, seniors Eseta Maka, Marshall and de Freitas were recognized for their years of hard work in the Blue Raider volleyball program.
The team hopes to continue their late season push as they travel Thursday to take on C-USA foe Charlotte in a match that may decide who ends up claiming the final Conference USA Tournament spot.
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