17-9,8-5CUSA
Middle Tennessee
16-9,7-6CUSA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston | 25 | 25 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 3 |
| Middle Tennessee | 18 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 2 |
11/5/2026 7:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Sam Houston volleyball overcame a two-set collapse and an early deficit in the deciding set to defeat Middle Tennessee 3-2 Thursday night at Alumni Memorial Gym. Â
The Bearkats appeared in control after taking the first two sets, but Middle Tennessee responded by winning the next two to force a fifth set. Sam Houston opened the match with a .233 hitting percentage in the first set before improving to .317 in the second, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.Â
Middle Tennessee found its rhythm in the third set, hitting .393 while limiting Sam Houston to a .077 hitting percentage. The Blue Raiders carried that momentum into the fourth set, winning 25-15 and sending the match to a deciding fifth set.Â
Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the final set, putting Sam Houston in an early hole. However, the Bearkats responded with a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from Chelsea Butler, Chloe Monson and Annika Brooks, along with a block from Brooks and Rachelle Reed, to tie the set at 6-6.Â
After trading points, Middle Tennessee regained control and built a 12-9 advantage. Sam Houston answered once again, using kills from Monson and Bella Wood to cut into the deficit before Avery Pruitt took over at the service line.Â
With the Bearkats trailing 13-11, Pruitt helped lead a four-point run to close the match. Wood and Butler recorded consecutive kills to tie the set at 13 before an attack error by Middle Tennessee gave Sam Houston the lead. Butler finished the comeback with another kill to secure the 15-13 set victory and the match.Â
Butler led the Bearkats offensively with 16 kills while hitting .481. Monson followed with 17 kills, and Brooks added eight kills and eight block assists. Wood contributed six kills, while Faith Roulston finished with six kills and a .400 hitting percentage.Â
Brenlin Garlitz led Sam Houston with 30 assists, while Lauren Pyle added 20. Shaelin White paced the defensive effort with 20 digs, and Wood contributed eight digs.Â
Sam Houston finished with 58 kills, a .221 hitting percentage and 10 total team blocks. The Bearkats also recorded seven service aces in the victory.Â
The Kats continue in game two against Middle Tennessee tomorrow at 1 p.m. The match can be followed on live stats and watched on ESPN+.Â
