"Monroe is a much improved team, and we came in and played a very good match tonight," head coach Matt Peck said. "I was very pleased with our performance. In the past we haven't played very well here, so it was nice to see. I'm really proud of the team."
Szivos, who hit .600 in the match, also tallied 10 digs for second double-double this season.
"Maria just had a great day today," Peck said. "She was open a lot, she moved the ball around and she was very effective on the back row. It's probably one of her best performances of the year."
Ashley Adams also had a standout performance on offense, tallying 11 kills at a .375 rate. Alyssa Wistrick finished third on the team with eight, and MT put up 46 kills to ULM's 17, outhitting the Warhawks .411 to .023.
The Blue and White had another strong day serving, picking up seven service aces, including three from Brynne Henderson and two apiece from Oyinlola Oladinni and Lindsey Purvis.
Defensively, Henderson and Halie Vannoy tied for the match high with 11 digs.
Szivos and Adams were strong early, combining to hit .500 with 11 kills as Middle Tennessee ran away with the opening set, 25-11.
The Blue Raiders came out on fire, running off a 10-1 run early and hitting .519 in the frame en route to grabbing the 1-0 match lead.
Szivos kept it going in the second set with six kills at .500 rate, helping Middle Tennessee to a 25-14 decision.
The Blue and White ran out to an early lead again, but ULM managed to mount a challenge, pulling within three at 8-5. Henderson held serve over the ensuing five points to put it out of reach and go into the break with a 2-0 lead for the sixth consecutive match.
After playing even over the first eight points of the third set, the Blue Raiders unleashed an 8-1 run to take control, ultimately winning 25-13.
After a 2-9 start, Middle Tennessee put together 10 straight wins to improve to 12-9 and 9-1 in conference play.
The Blue Raiders will look to keep it going on Saturday, as they hit the road for Lafayette for a match at Louisiana. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
