Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee (7-15) volleyball fell to the University of Tennessee Lady Vols (11-8) 13-30, 24-30, 30-23, 30-26 Tuesday night in Murphy Center.
The two teams put on a good show for the TSSAA Volleyball State Tournament participants who will begin play on Wednesday in Murphy Center. The game was the brainchild of Lady Raider Head Coach Lisa Kissee and Lady Vol Head Coach Rob Patrick, who decided they wanted two Tennessee teams showcased before the high school tournament began.
"It was a real bonus for Middle Tennessee to play in front of the participants in the tournament," Kissee said. "I try really hard to recruit from the state of Tennessee and to bring these kids in to show them our program is key for the program."
Middle Tennessee missed the strong play of freshman Shakeithia Deckard who had an off night at her outside hitter position. She only registered eight kills and recorded 10 errors for a negative .067 attack percentage.
"This is the first match Shakeithia has really had an off night," Kissee said. "She has only been playing volleyball for about two years so it was bound to happen."
The Lady Raiders were led by junior co-captain Katie Thiesen who had a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs. Junior Erin Hillstrom was the only other Middle Tennessee Player in double figure kills with 12. Janelle Hester who had 23 kills led Tennessee, while senior Ariana Wilson recorded 10 kills.
Middle Tennessee will begin a two-day swing through Arkansas this weekend as the Lady Raiders face Sun Belt foes Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock for the second time this season. The Lady Raiders will play Arkansas State at 7 p.m. on Saturday and Arkansas-Little Rock at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
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