Muncie, Ind. --- The Tennessee State University volleyball team dropped three sets to a tough Ball State opponent Friday night in the opening match of the Active Ankle Challenge.

Tennessee State (0-2) finished the match with an -0.84 hitting percentage while Ball State (4-0) remained undefeated and hit .304 in the contest.

Senior Santia Sanders had six of TSU's 14 total kills to lead the team. Sophomore Calasia Williams tallied six digs while senior Vicmari Prospero recorded a team best three blocks.

Kylee Baker led Ball State with 12 kills and Alyssa Rio turned in 14 digs for the Cardinals.

Playing in front of a crowd of 1,744, Tennessee State quickly fell behind, 8-2, in the opening set. Following a TSU timeout, Ball State swelled the lead to 20-5 before cruising to the 25-5 win. The Cardinals hit .647 and did not commit any errors in the opening frame.

In the second set, the teams battled through the first several rallies. With the score tied, 7-7, an 8-0 run helped the Cardinals take control. BSU would go on to win the set, 25-13.

Set three saw both teams battle to another, 7-7, deadlock before Ball State created a little distance and went ahead 18-11. The Tigers, however, clawed back when two consecutive service aces from Kamille King sparked a 5-0 run that brought TSU to within two, 18-16. The Cardinals answered with a run of their own to close out the match and claim the 25-19 win.

"There are some very good teams in this tournament," said head coach Kathy Roulhac. "This is a challenge that we needed and we are excited about the opportunity to bounce back tomorrow when we face Oakland and Robert Morris."

TSU setter Erika Moss, who has been out due to injury, saw her first action of the season tonight when she played in set three.

"When Erika came in we got a little more balanced," Roulhac continued. "She played well for us and only after four days of practice. Overall we are still going in the direction that we want to go in, we just have to stay focused on our goals."

The Tigers will conclude the tournament tomorrow with match-ups against Oakland University (10 a.m.) and Robert Morris (5 p.m.). Oakland University (2-3) swept Robert Morris (2-3) earlier in the day.

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