Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Molly Michalak recorded her fourth straight double-double, but Eastern Kentucky lost to Middle Tennessee on Wednesday at McBrayer Arena.
 
Eastern Kentucky (5-2) will host the Geri Polvino Invitational, presented by the Dr. Geri Polvino, Russell, Josephine, and Mary Polvino Family Legacy Endowment, on Friday and Saturday.  EKU will take on Saint Francis at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.  The day-long, four-match extravaganza will conclude with the Colonels playing Purdue Fort Wayne at 6 p.m.  Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois will play at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Against the Blue Raiders, Michalak finished with 14 kills, a .275 attack percentage and 10 digs.  Chloe Mason had 22 assists and Josie Schmitendorf posted a team-high 18 digs.
 
EKU made just two more errors than Middle Tennessee (5-2), but the Blue Raiders had an 11-6 advantage in blocks and a 7-2 edge in aces.
 
Adri Rhoda led MTSU with 12 kills to go along with five aces.
 
The Colonels trailed 20-14 late in the first set but used a 6-2 run to close within two.  An ace from Sarah Mitchell and a MTSU error made it 22-20 in favor of the visitors.  After a kill from Michalak kept the margin at two, 23-21, the Blue Raiders scored the final two points to win the set 25-21.
 
Eastern Kentucky scored the first three points in the second set and never trailed.  After Middle Tennessee tied it 4-4, EKU went on a 6-1 run to seize control.  A kill from Michalak and a MTSU error finished the run and put the home squad ahead 10-5.  Kills by freshman Carson Ledford and Mason extended the margin to seven, 15-8.  The Colonels scored the final two points to win the set 25-15 and tie the match.
 
The third set was close until the end.  A kill from Anna Purichia put EKU in the lead 20-19, however the Blue Raiders scored the final six points to win the set 25-20.
 
A kill from Michalak tied the fourth set at 5-5, but Middle Tennessee answered with a 10-1 run to take control.  The Blue Raiders cruised to a 25-13 win to claim the match.