CHARLESTON, Ill. – Tennessee State volleyball battled through two competitive sets Thursday evening, pushing Eastern Illinois to extra points in the third frame before falling 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 26-24) in Ohio Valley Conference action at Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym.
The Tigers (0-16, 0-5 OVC) found their offensive rhythm as the match progressed, recording 28 of their 35 kills over the final two sets. Tennessee State hit .243 in the second frame and forced 22 combined ties across the final two sets, including a third-set battle that extended beyond regulation.
Sydney Robinson led Tennessee State with nine kills, while Melae Lacy followed with eight kills on a .240 hitting percentage. Lacy added a service ace and a block assist to finish with a team-high 9.5 points.
Gabrielle Washington contributed six kills on .250 hitting and four total blocks, while Wiktoria Jakubik added five kills, five blocks and seven digs. Gabriella Blevins finished with two kills, four blocks and a service ace.
Freshman setter Triniti Jackson directed the Tigers' offense with 27 assists, nine digs and three kills. Defensively, Jordan Imperial collected a team-high 15 digs, while Sydni Poston added 14.
How It Happened
Set One | Eastern Illinois 25, Tennessee State 12
Eastern Illinois opened the match with four consecutive points to establish an early advantage. Tennessee State worked to settle into its offense, with Savanna Moore contributing a kill as the Tigers looked to cut into the deficit.
The Panthers maintained their momentum through the middle stages of the frame, eventually extending their lead to 18-6 behind a five-point scoring run. Tennessee State continued to battle at the net, looking to generate opportunities through its offense and blocking presence.
Trailing 21-8, the Tigers put together a three-point run highlighted by a kill from Jackson and consecutive blocks involving Washington and Lacy, trimming the deficit to 21-11.
Eastern Illinois responded in the closing points, securing the opening set, 25-12. Tennessee State finished with seven kills in the frame.
Set Two | Eastern Illinois 25, Tennessee State 22
Tennessee State responded with a stronger offensive performance in the second set, opening the frame with a kill from Lacy off an assist from Jackson.
The Tigers continued to find opportunities offensively, with Robinson contributing multiple kills as Tennessee State exchanged points with Eastern Illinois through the opening stages.
Neither team was able to establish consistent separation during the middle of the frame. The set featured 11 ties and eight lead changes as Tennessee State answered the Panthers' scoring efforts and continued to challenge at the net.
The Tigers recorded 15 kills on 37 attempts, hitting .243 in their most efficient offensive set of the evening. Tennessee State remained within striking distance as both teams approached the final points, forcing Eastern Illinois to execute down the stretch.
The Panthers ultimately secured the final separation, taking the second set, 25-22, to move ahead 2-0 in the match.
Set Three | Eastern Illinois 26, Tennessee State 24
Tennessee State carried its competitive momentum into the third frame, matching Eastern Illinois throughout the opening exchanges.
Robinson delivered kills to tie the score at 4-4 and 5-5, while Jakubik and Blevins contributed at the net as the Tigers worked to establish their offensive presence.
Eastern Illinois created a three-point advantage at 15-12, but Tennessee State responded with consecutive points, including a kill from Lacy, to cut the deficit to 15-14.
The Tigers continued to battle through the middle stages of the set, eventually pulling even at 19-19 on a block by Washington and Jakubik.
After the Panthers moved ahead 21-19, Lacy sparked another Tennessee State response, delivering a kill before following with a service ace to tie the frame at 21-21.
The teams continued exchanging points as the set approached its conclusion. Jakubik recorded a kill to even the score at 23-23, keeping the Tigers in position to extend the match.
Facing set point at 24-23, Blevins answered with a kill off an assist from Jackson to tie the frame at 24-24 and force extra points.
Eastern Illinois claimed the next two points to secure the 26-24 victory and complete the three-set match.
Match Notes
- Tennessee State finished with 35 kills, 33 assists, 52 digs and three service aces.
- The Tigers recorded three solo blocks and 12 block assists.
- Robinson led the offense with nine kills, while Lacy finished with a team-high 9.5 points.
- Jackson recorded 27 assists, nine digs and three kills.
- Imperial and Poston combined for 29 digs, anchoring Tennessee State's defensive effort.
- Washington and Jakubik combined for nine total blocks.
- Tennessee State recorded 15 kills on .243 hitting in the second set, its most efficient frame of the match.
- The second and third sets featured 11 ties apiece, with the Tigers pushing the final frame to extra points.
Up Next
Tennessee State returns to Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym on Friday, Oct. 16, for the second match of its Ohio Valley Conference series against Eastern Illinois.
