Blue Raiders prepare for big trip to Florida

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raiders will travel to Florida this weekend in search of first place in the Sun Belt East Division as it faces Florida International and Florida Atlantic.

The Blue Raiders' largest task will come on Friday, Nov. 7 when it faces current East Division leader Florida International at 6 p.m.

The Golden Panthers have been on a hot streak winning 11 straight matches and 13 of their last 14 matches. FIU's last lost was against the Blue Raiders at Alumni Memorial Gym.

Middle Tennessee will then travel up the road to Boca Raton, Fla., where it will play FAU at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.

The Owls have won two of their last three matches but prior to that had dropped six straight.

The Blue Raiders will turn to senior middle blocker Ashley Asberry who has reached 500 block assists in her career. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native currently leads the nation and the Sun Belt in hitting percentage and blocks per set.

Also guiding Middle Tennessee this weekend will be junior setter Leslie Clark who is closing in on 4,000 assists in her career. Clark already has 1,070 assists this season and is one of just three Blue Raiders to reach 3,000 assists in her career.

Live stats will be available for both of Middle Tennessee's matches this weekend as linked on www.goblueraiders.com.

Schedule Note Middle Tennessee's matches the weekend after Thanksgiving have been moved due to the NCAA tournament selection process.

Friday, Nov. 28 St. Louis vs. UConn - 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 29 MT vs. St. Louis - 1 p.m. MT vs. UConn - 7 p.m.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.