Volleyball sweeps VCU in season finale

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee volleyball team closed out the regular season on a high note, picking up a 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-19) victory over visiting VCU on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Memorial Gym.

Ashley Adams led the way for the Blue Raiders, posting a match-high 12 kills, and both Oyinlola Oladinni and Maria Szivos added nine. Alyssa Wistrick was fourth on the team, chipping in eight.

Morgan Peterson was responsible for directing the offense on the day, dishing out 37 assists and helping the Blue and White out-hit the Rams .235 to .205.

Oladinni and Peterson led the defense at the net, putting up seven and five blocks, respectively. Brynne Henderson tallied a match-high 12 digs and Szivos collected 11.

Oladinni led the way in the first set, recording six kills and helping the Blue Raiders out-hit VCU .333 to .242 en route to a 25-21 victory.

It was a back and forth affair in the opening set, which featured 17 ties and seven lead changes, but the Blue and White were the strongest when it counted. With the MT holding a slim 21-20 lead, the duo of Oladinni and Adams combined for four kills over the final five points.

VCU mounted a late rally in the second frame, but Middle Tennessee never trailed and managed to get back in control, holding on to win 27-25.

After a Halie Vannoy service ace put the Blue Raiders up 24-22, the Rams fought back with a pair of Jessica Ojukwu kills to keep the set going. A Szivos kill forced another set point, but VCU had the answer once again. However, Oladinni followed up with a kill and a block, sealing the deal and sending MT into the break up 2-0.

Adams starred in the third set, picking up five kills on ten swings to lead the Blue Raiders to a 25-19 win.

After trailing for much of the early goings, an Adams kill kicked off a six-point run for Middle Tennessee to put the Blue Raiders ahead at 15-12. Vannoy held serve for four straight points moments later, pushing the deficit to five at 19-14 and putting the match out of reach for the Rams.

Middle Tennessee ends the regular season with a 21-11 record. The Blue Raiders will learn of their NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday evening during the NCAA Selection Show, beginning at 5 p.m. on ESPNU.

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