Trojans Fall in Five Sets to Middle Tennessee

Friday, November 4

Troy, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

Middle Tennessee State University

Photo by: Edward Fieder

Trojans Fall in Five Sets to Middle Tennessee

11/4/2011 10:38:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Tyler Pigg

Box Score

TROY, Ala. - The Troy volleyball team came up short in a heartbreaker, falling 3-2, Friday night at Sartain Hall to Middle Tennessee. The Trojans (15-12, 5-8) started off hot, taking two out of the first three sets from the Blue Raiders (17-9, 13-1), by the score of 25-16 and 25-17.

But, it was Middle Tennessee who will take the second set, and then the final two sets of the match to earn the victory.

The win for Middle Tennessee gave the Blue Raiders their 15^th consecutive win, which is a school record; while Troy has dropped it's last four matches at home.

Troy will try to rebound against Western Kentucky, tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at Sartain Hall.

MT 3, TROY 2 (16-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-16, 15-10)

Against Middle Tennessee, Breanna Cullity led the Trojans offensively with 13 kills, while Natasha Kolunija added 10 kills. Alexandra Alexander recorded 31 assists and 12 digs, while Courtney Cohen and Lizzie Clough chipped in 10 digs. Cohen's twelve digs, moved her into second for digs in a season. In 2011, Cohen has recorded 443 digs.

On the night, Middle Tennessee posted a hitting percentage of .218, while Troy recorded a hitting percentage of .172. The Trojans added seven blocks and three service aces against the Blue Raiders.

Troy led the entire first set, as Devin Von Pingel and Kolunjia added three kills, and the Trojans ran away with the first set, 25-16.

Middle Tennessee would take the second set out-hitting the Trojans .481 to .031 and would take the set, 25-12, the largest margin of victory for either team in the match.

The third set would see five lead changes, and 10 times during the set the score was tied. Troy would out-hit Middle Tennessee .217 to (-.034). With the set tied at 12-12, Troy would score the next six out of eight points, and take the third set, 25-17.

The Blue Raiders got hot in the fourth set and would post a hitting percentage of .371, while the Trojans hit .056. Middle Tennessee would lead the entire fourth set and take it 25-16.

With the fifth and final set tied at 9-9, Middle Tennessee will take five of the last six points to win the final set, 15-10. The Trojans got close several times in the fifth set to overtaking the Blue Raiders, but Middle Tennessee would post a hitting percentage of .300 to close out the match.