MTSU Hands Volleyball First Home Loss in Five Sets

Friday, October 30

Springfield

6:00 p.m.

Missouri State University

17-6,8-3CUSA

Middle Tennessee

16-7,7-4CUSA

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Middle Tenn.	15	27	12	25	15	3
Missouri St.	25	25	25	21	11	2

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October 30, 2026 | Volleyball

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By: MSU Athletics Communications

SPRINGFIELD – Middle Tennessee won the final two sets Friday evening at Hammons Student Center to hand Missouri State its first home loss of the season by a 3-2 final. Set scores in favor of the Blue Raiders were 15-25, 27-25, 12-25, 25-21, 15-11.

Despite the loss, the Bears (17-6, 8-3 Conference USA) remained in second place in the league standings, now just one match ahead of MTSU (16-7, 7-4) heading into tomorrow's 1 p.m. rematch.

Hannah Gardner had 10 kills, 25 assists and a career-high 17 digs for her fourth triple-double of the season and sixth of her career, the most at Mo State since rally scoring began in 2001.

Lexi Weinberg hit .394 and tied her career high with 15 kills for the Bears, Jenna Walters added 10 kills, and the defense equaled a season high with 85 digs to go with 12 blocks.

The Bears jumped ahead 8-1 in the opening set and held MTSU to .024 hitting, then let a 22-17 lead slip away in a marathon second period that saw the teams combine for 57 digs and nine blocks.

It was all Mo State in the third with four scoring runs of 4-0 or better while limiting MTSU to four total kills.

After that, the Bears did not lead again, with the Blue Raiders owning a .455-.371 hitting percentage lead in the fourth, then going on a 4-0 run from a 10-10 tie in the fifth to complete the comeback and two wire-to-wire set wins.

The Bears led .211-.150 in hitting efficiency, 7-4 in aces, 85-75 in digs and 12-8 in blocks. Missouri State's streaks of seven home wins and six overall victories came to an end.

Saturday's 1 p.m. match will include a post-match trick or treat opportunity with the Bears. Tickets for home matches can be purchased here, and Missouri State students are admitted free of charge.

#GoBears