EDWARDSVILLE, IL -- Celestial Miller had a double-double of a game-high18 kills and 13 digs, but it was not enough as the Tennessee State volleyball team lost to the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in five sets (16-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 10-15) Saturday on the road at First Community Arena. The loss dropped Tennessee State's record to 2-20 overall and 2-10 in OVC play.

Miller also registered game-highs in blocks with five and points with 21. on the day. Aleksandra Rojecka also added 11 kills to help the attack. The offensive was set up by Alanys Otero's game-high 27 assists, while Hennesys Lalane added 15. On the defensive end, Celianiz Cabranes led the team with 14 digs. 

Game Notes

» Cabranes had a team-high three aces in the loss.
» Miller registered a double-double with 18 kills and 13 digs. She also led the match with five blocks. 
» Tennessee State served up five aces on the way to a second-set victory.
»  Miller has registered a double-double in three of her last five matches,
» Tennessee State got a team-high 14 digs from Cabranes.
» Tennessee State attackers were helped by a match-high 27 assists from Otero.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Tigers found themselves in an early hole, losing a tough first set 25-16. Tennessee State trailed by as many as 11 points as SIU-Edwardsville grabbed the advantage for good at 6-5 in a set that was tied up four times before the Cougars took control.

SET 2 | Tennessee State tied the match at 1-1 following a 25-17 victory in set two. Pinpoint serving helped the Tigers take the set. Tennessee State totaled five aces in the set win. The Tigers ended on a strong note, stretching their lead to its largest point in the set to finish out the stanza.

SET 3 | Tennessee State lost set three, putting the Lady Tigers in a 2-1 hole. The Tigers fell in a tough set 25-17. Tennessee State trailed by as many as eight points as SIU-Edwardsville grabbed the advantage for good at 8-7 in a set that was tied up four times before the Cougars took over the lead.

SET 4 | Tennessee State then responded to win set four 25-23 to force a fifth set. The Tigers persevered in a back-and-forth set to win in a stanza that featured five lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team was able to grab a lead larger than three points along the way.

SET 5 | Tennessee State was on the wrong side of a back-and-forth match, winning the second and fourth sets but losing the first, third and fifth, which they dropped by the score of 15-10, to fall in the match. The Tigers fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way.

The Tigers will be back at home this Friday and Saturday when they take on Lindenwood.