Troy’s Postseason Continues After Sweep of Middle Tennessee

Friday, December 3

Troy, Ala.

6:30 PM

Troy University

18-12,9-7Sun Belt

Middle Tennessee

-912,66 CUSA

Middle Tenn.

Troy

Troy’s Postseason Continues After Sweep of Middle Tennessee

12/3/2021 9:13:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Troy vs. Middle Tennessee PDF Photo Gallery

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The Trojans will be advancing to the second round of the NIVC after Troy's 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-18, 25-14) over Middle Tennessee at Trojan Arena Friday night.

The Trojans are now set to face off with North Florida in the NIVC second round on Saturday, December 4, at 1 pm from Trojan Arena. The Trojans have now advanced to the second round in both their postseason appearances.

"I thought we were really solid tonight," head coach Josh Lauer said. "That was a well-coached MTSU team that fought really hard, and I'm proud of the way my team played tonight, especially of defensive intensity and our attention to detail. We have a challenge ahead of us in North Florida, and I'm glad we get to play great postseason volleyball in front of our fans. It was a great environment tonight, and we are looking to keep it going."

The Trojans (18-12) was led by senior Cheyenne Hayes, who adds to the school kill record after recording 11 kills on .333 hitting. Tori Hester also finished with 12 kills with a game-high .417 hitting percentage and nine digs. Amara Anderson finished with a match-high 33 assists, and freshman Caroline Darracott finished with 11 digs.

Middle Tennessee (9-12) was led by Samira Body Lawson, who had a double-double with 12 kills for the Blue Raiders; she was their only player with double-digit kills to go along with 10 digs. As a team, the Blue Raiders hit .148 and had 14 errors. Talyor Eisert contributed with 23 assists.

Set 1: The Trojans were able to take advantage of three straight Middle Tennessee attack errors to break a 6-6 deadlock and not look back. Troy got out to a seven-point lead after Hayes went cross court with a kill to make it 20-13 and would add an ace to go up by 10 points, putting the set out of reach for Middle Tennessee.

Set 2: Troy saw itself down three points early, but back-to-back kills from Hester and Caitlin Cooper tied things up and gave the Trojans the momentum they needed to get back into the set. The Blue Raiders continued to fight and would hold a two-point lead at the media timeout, but three straight service aces from Isabella Mitchell and kills from Hayes and Julia Brooks gave Troy five consecutive points. Troy would take the second set 25-18 after a kill by Anderson.

Set 3: Troy was eager to get the sweep in set three as the Trojans would finish the set with 14 kills and a .480 hitting percent, their highest of any of the three sets. The score was tied only twice with only one lead change. The Trojans would finish the match with eight service aces, with three coming in the third set. With the score of 19-11, Brooks, Hester, and Cooper all recorded kills in succession to make it 23-11, and Troy would go on to take the set 25-14 after a Blue Raider service error.