NASHVILLE- After winning the first two sets, the Tennessee State University Tigers (9-7, 1-6) couldn't get over the hump, losing the final three sets. They fell to the Morehead State University Eagles, 3-2, in the Ohio Valley Conference action at Kean Hall.

The match was played in front a lively crowd including members of the TSU men's basketball coaching staff. The energy in the gym was apparent, but at the end it wasn't enough to propel the Tigers to victory. The Tigers now have to get ready to host Belmont University this Tuesday.

"We started strong and were in our element in the first two sets," said TSU head coach Donika Sutton. "The energy from the crowd helped but we have to learn to build up our own energy. Morehead is always going to be an aggressive team. They pressure you offensively. We handled it well, but I think we got too comfortable. We have a quick turnaround to get ready for Belmont."

Set 1: TSU 25-23

After Morehead scored two first points of the match, a kill by TSU's Aniya Williams started a 3-0 run to give TSU their first lead of the day. The Tigers then extended the lead with a 5-0 run to take an 8-3 lead. TSU never gave up the lead in the match staving off every run by the Eagles.

TSU extended the lead 12-6 on an attack error by McKenzee Wagener forcing Morehead to take a timeout. The Tigers came out the timeout scoring on a service ace by Hadley Pride, advancing the lead by seven. After going up 17-10, Morehead made a run, cutting the lead by (21-19). A kill by Williams gave TSU a 23-19 lead forcing another Morehead timeout. A service error by Morehead's Bridger Bessler made it set point. The Eagles came out of the timeout scoring the next four points, forcing the Tigers to call a timeout. A Washington kill finished the set off.

Set 2 TSU 25-23

Morehead scored the first point of the set but a kill by TSU's Washington started both teams trading points. With the scored tied at seven, TSU went on a 2-0 run capped off by another Washington kill. The Tigers then stretched the lead to four at 14-10 on Rayna Williams kill. A kill by TSU's Aria Holmes gave TSU a 15-11 lead at the media break.
The set then went back and forth. An attack error by Morehead's Irene Wogenstahl forced at Morehead timeout with the score 19-17 TSU. Kills by Sofia Garcia-Guerrios and Aniya Williams gave TSU a four-point lead at 22-18. The Eagles didn't give up, eventually cutting the lead to 23-22. A Holmes kill made it set point.

Set 3 Morehead 25-21

This time the Tigers scored the first point on an attack error by Morehead's Maycie Welborn. The two teams traded points until Morehead took the lead at 5-4. This was their first lead since the score was 5-4 in the second set. The Eagles stretched the lead to 12-9 before TSU tied the score at 12 on a Weldon kill. Morehead Wogenstahl's kill made it a 15-13 Eagle lead at the media break.

After the break, the Tigers got cooking, eventually taking the lead on a Wogenstahl attack error. The set stayed nip and tuck until Morehead took control of the set 23-20 on an attack error by Aniya Williams. A bad set by Kristian Marshall gave the Eagles the set.

Set 4 Morehead 25-18

The fourth set started with the Tigers grabbing a 3-1 lead on a kill by Aniya Williams. Wogenstahl then played big, scoring her team's next three points to start a 5-1 run to make the score 11-6 forcing a TSU timeout. After the timeout, Morehead kept the pressure on taking a 15-8 lead.

TSU didn't give up clawing back, cutting the lead to one at 16-15 on a Marshall kill. With the score at 20-18, the Eagles then went on a 5-0 run to finish off the set.

Set 5 Morehead 15-13

Morehead started the final set, scoring the first three points before Aniya Williams stopped the run with a kill. The Eagles then scored the next point, but Rayna Williams' kill made it 4-2 Morehead lead. A bad set and an attack error by Lohmeier tied the score at 6-6. With Rivera-Ortiz serving, the Tigers clawed back and took an 8-7 lead on an attack error by Wogenstahl after a controversial replay by the officials.

After the Tigers went up 9-7, the Eagles scored the next three points to take a 10-9 lead. The two teams traded points until the Eagles went up 12-10. A Boudal service ace cut the lead to 12-11 but a kill by Morehead's Abby Hulsman made it 13-12. An attack error by Aniya Williams made the score 14-12. After a TSU timeout, Aniya Williams cut the lead to 14-13 on a kill. The Tigers couldn't get any closer as Wogenstahl finished the match with a kill.