BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY (Photos by Sam Jordan - TSU Athletics)
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State Tiger volleyball team dropped its first match back in Kean Hall to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Friday evening, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-18).
With the loss, TSU's record falls to 8-16 overall, 6-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Tech improved to 10-17 overall, 4-9 in the league. In the all-time series verus the Golden Eagles, Big Blue is now 18-40.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Freshman Aria Holmes led the match in blocks with five. This marks her fourth match leading the Tigers in total blocks. Holmes also closed the night with a .571 hitting percentage on four kills.
- Julia Pierson was the sole Tiger to record double-digit kills with 10. Three Golden Eagles scored in double-digits: Erica Grant, 14, Taylor Dorsey, 11, and Ali Verzani, 10.
HOW IT HAPPENED
TSU took the first lead of set one, before Tech followed with a slew of points to increase its lead by as much as four. Freshman middle blocker Aria Holmes started what would be back-to-back-to-back blocks for the Tigers, helping them tie the score at 12. The Tiger defense at the net recorded five blocks, halting Tech's offense at 16 kills on a .206 clip. A late push by the Tigers was outpaced by Tech's accuracy, TTU taking the set, 25-21.
The Golden Eagles adjusted to the Tiger defense, moving its offensive focus away from Big Blue's powerful blockers. Tech's hitting accuracy improved in each of the final sets, finishing with a .259 in set two, and rounded it out with a .519 clip.
The Tiger offense came slow and steady, only scoring six kills in the second, and 10 in the final.
MATCH NOTES
- TSU improves to 18-40 in the all-time series against the Golden Eagles.
UP NEXT
The Tigers close its home schedule with Senior Night, Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. Big Blue will honor sole senior Rachel Henderson with a presentation before the match.
#BigBlueRising
