Volleyball Splits in Final Day of MT Invitational

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee (7-7) fell to Murray State (6-4) 3-0 (26-30, 29-31, 33-35) Saturday in the closing match of the MT Invitational in the Alumni Memorial Gym.

Though Middle Tennessee fell in three games, each were very close that went back and forth between the two teams favor. In game two, Middle Tennessee was down 25-29 and it looked like Murray State would sail to the victory, but the Lady Raiders stormed back on the strong serving of junior Dara McLean and two key kills by junior KeKe Deckard. The Racers sped onto the victory in game two on a Lady Raider service error but it set up a wild game three.

In almost a mirror of game two, Middle Tennessee was down 25-28 but came back to tie it 28 all on two more big kills by Deckard. After another Deckard kill, the Lady Raiders faced match point, 29-28, but lost the point to Murray to tie the game again. Both teams faced match point three times before the Racers took the game and the match.

Deckard led the team with a double-double as she had 18 kills and 11 digs. Baker was the only other Lady Raider in double figure kills with 16 and Victoria Monasterolo had 17 digs.

Junior Goldie Bilyeu, who debuted in the line-up the on Friday night at the setter position, had 17 assists. Freshman Megan Sumrell had 21.

"I think having Goldie back in the line-up will be good for us later in the season," said head coach Lisa Kissee. "I think her being back on the court will make a difference."

Baker recorded a career-high 21 kills to help lead Middle Tennessee to a 3-0 (30-21, 30-21, 30-21) win over Western Illinois. Junior KeKe Deckard also had double figure kills with 11.

The Lady Raiders recorded 51 kills in the match with a .208 attack percentage. Western Illinois only had 25 kills in the match and recorded 26 errors.

Baker and Andressa Lyra were named to the MT Invitational All-Tournament team. Murray State's Abbi Gui was named to the All-Tournament team and teammate Nikki Wong was named tournament MVP. Appalachian State's Amber Mangrum and Western Illinois' Kali Landis were also voted to the all-tournament team.

Middle Tennessee will be back in action in Alumni Memorial Gym on Tuesday September 23 at 7 p.m. when the Lady Raiders host Memphis.

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