Blue Raiders Defeat UNO 3-1

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee volleyball (11-10) improved to 5-3 in the Sun Belt with a 3-1 (30-18, 30-32, 30-22, 30-24) victory over New Orleans (14-6, 4-4 SBC) Friday in Alumni Memorial Gym.

The win pushed the Blue Raiders back above .500 for the second time this season. It also snaps a two-match losing streak, as Middle Tennessee boasts a 4-1 conference record at home.

Middle Tennessee was impressive in game one, opening with a 10-1 run. The Blue Raiders had a .256 attack percentage and won the game off a kill by senior KeKe Deckard.

The Blue Raiders were cruising in game two, but soon hit a UNO roadblock. Middle Tennessee was up 29-28 but an attack error by the Blue Raiders gave the Privateers new life. An attack error by UNO gave Middle Tennessee the advantage at 30-29, but the Blue Raiders returned the favor to tie the game up again. A kill by Privateer Jennifer Cruz and an attack error by Deckard gave UNO game two.

"I think we were playing really well in game one and just relaxed too much in game two," said Head Coach Matt Peck. "To New Orlean's credit the picked up their game and shocked us."

Middle Tennessee regained its focus in the next two games. The Blue Raiders had attack percentages of .297 and .237 in games three and four, while UNO registered .111 and .152.

Sophomore Andressa Lyra recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 19 kills and 10 digs. Deckard also recorded a double-double with 18 kills and 17 digs. Dara McLean added 17 kills.

The Blue Raiders return to action on Sunday when Middle Tennessee hosts South Alabama. Match time is set for 12 p.m.

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