Blue Raiders fall 3-1 to Western Kentucky in Sun Belt Championship match

MIAMI - Ashley Adams posted 13 kills on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Middle Tennessee volleyball team fell to top-seeded Western Kentucky 3-1 (22-25, 25-12, 18-25, 18-25) in the Sun Belt Championship match at U.S. Century Bank Arena on the campus of FIU in Miami.

Adams was tied for the match high in kills, helping her take home All-Tournament honors.

Oyinlola Oladinni hit at a .500 rate with six kills and seven blocks on the way to earning All-Tournament honors as well for the second straight season.

Lindsay Cheatham added six kills and six blocks, and Maria Szivos chipped in another five and six as well.

As a team the Blue Raiders out-blocked the Hilltoppers 16.0 to 9.0.

After falling 25-22 in the first set, the Blue and White rebounded with a dominating 25-12 win in the second frame. Adams was a perfect 3-for-3 attacking, and both Oladinni and Cheatham each put up three blocks to send it into the break even 1-1.

Western Kentucky came out strong, out-hitting the Blue Raiders .278 to .156 in the third and .310 to .061 in the fourth on the way to a pair of 25-18 victories.

With the win, Western Kentucky secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Middle Tennessee will get ready for a match next Saturday against VCU prior to learning of their postseason future on Sunday, November 27.

Friend of the Blue Raiders? Like us on Facebook and become part of the True Blue army today.