Blue Raiders Topple North Texas 3-1

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee volleyball (5-8, 1-1 SBC) picked up its first Sun Belt Conference victory of the season with a 3-1 (30-25, 30-27, 30-22, 30-20) win over North Texas (2-11, 1-1 SBC) Sunday at Alumni Memorial Gym.

The Blue Raiders have now won three of their last four matches and are on a two-game winning streak. Middle Tennessee also notched its first win over North Texas in three years.

"We have had some crucial injuries in the last two weeks that has really depleted our line-up," said head coach Matt Peck. "The win is a credit to players like Andressa Lyra who stepped up and played left outside hitter for us this weekend, a position she hasn't played all season."

Middle Tennessee recorded eight aces for the second consecutive match. The team was led by Alicia Lemau'u who had a career-high eight aces.

The Blue Raiders dropped game one 30-25, looking a little fatigued after playing Friday and Saturday. Middle Tennessee didn't succumb completely to the fatigue, however, bouncing back to tie up the match heading into the locker room.

With the match tied at four early in game three, Middle Tennessee reeled off three consecutive points off the serve of Dara McLean. The Blue Raiders never trailed in the game again.

Middle Tennessee continued its tenacity in game four and registered a scorching .407 attack percentage with just three errors to win the game and the match. Overall, Middle Tennessee recorded a .227 attack percentage and North Texas had .146.

McLean again led the Blue Raiders with 24 kills, the fourth consecutive match she has recorded double figure kills. Lyra also continued to perform strong with 20 kills.

The Blue Raiders continue its home stand, as the team hosts Arkansas State on Friday October 1 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Memorial Gym.

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