MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Marist volleyball team dropped a three-set match on Friday evening, falling to Middle Tennessee by scores of 25-18, 25-15, and 25-18 inside Alumni Memorial Gym.
Despite a strong effort early, the Red Foxes could not overcome Middle Tennessee's efficiency at the net. The Blue Raiders hit .289 as a team while limiting Marist to a .036 hitting percentage. Middle Tennessee also controlled the match defensively, recording nine team blocks to Marist's one.
Senior outside hitter
Sara Dasic paced the Red Foxes with a team-high eight kills, while sophomore setter
Caelyn Dumas handed out 20 assists and contributed a team-best nine digs.
Mallory Reck added six kills and seven digs, and
Taylor Miller chipped in three kills on .125 hitting.
Middle Tennessee was led by Michaela Dlouhá, who posted a match-high 13 kills on .417 hitting, and setter Caroline Macander, who dished out 29 assists while adding three service aces.
Marist battled in the opening set, pulling within 15-13 after a Dasic kill, but the Blue Raiders responded with a 7-2 run to regain control. The Red Foxes found themselves chasing from behind in the second and third frames, where Middle Tennessee's offense continued to apply pressure.
With the result, Marist falls to 0-4 on the season while Middle Tennessee improves to 3-1.
The Red Foxes return to action on Saturday, with a match against UT Martin to continue the Blue Raider Invitational.
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