EDWARDSVILLE, IL --The Tennessee State University Tiger volleyball team traveled to Illinois trying to stop an eight-game losing streak but fell short, losing to the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in straight sets (22-25, 20-25, 19-25). The loss dropped Tennessee State's record to 2-19 overall and 2-9 in OVC play.

Aleksandra Rojecka finished with nine kills on the day to lead the Tigers' offense while finishing with a hitting percentage of .353. Celestial Miller added eight kills. The attackers were set up nicely by Alanys Otero, who had 15 assists, while Hennesys Lalane added 11 in her first game back after missing five games due to injury. Miller and Otero both had two service aces to help the offense. On defense, TSU got a game-high 21 digs from Celianiz Cabranes. 

Game Notes

» Otero and Miller had a team-high two aces in the loss.
» Rojecka had a team-high nine kills for Tennessee State.
» Tennessee State got a match-high 21 digs from Cabranes.
» A team-high 15 assists from Otero helped Tennessee State attackers.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Tigers found themselves in an early hole, losing the first set 25-22. Tennessee State trailed by as many as six points as SIU-Edwardsville grabbed the advantage for good at 5-4 in a set that was tied up four times before the Cougars took control.

SET 2 | Tennessee State lost set two 25-20, digging a 2-0 deficit in the match. The Tigers trailed by as many as six points as SIU-Edwardsville grabbed the advantage for good at 6-5 in a set that was knotted up four times before the Cougars took over the lead.

SET 3 | Tennessee State couldn't prolong the match and lost in set number three. The Tigers dropped a tough set 25-19. Tennessee State trailed by as many as six points as SIU-Edwardsville grabbed the advantage for good at 15-14 in a set that was tied up seven times before the Cougars took over in the second half of the stanza.

Both games will be back at it tomorrow at 2 p.m.