NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Melae Lacy led Tennessee State with eight kills as the Tigers wrapped up their Dig Pink weekend Saturday afternoon, falling to Morehead State in straight sets (20-25, 21-25, 14-25) at Kean Hall.
Tennessee State (0-19, 0-8 OVC) battled through two competitive opening sets, recording nine ties and five lead changes throughout the match before Morehead State (9-11, 5-5 OVC) pulled away in the third frame.
Lacy paced the Tigers offensively, finishing with eight kills on 22 attempts while hitting .273. Sydney Robinson followed with six kills and a service ace, while Gabriella Blevins delivered an efficient performance with four kills on seven swings and no errors for a team-best .571 hitting percentage. Blevins also added a service ace and two block assists.
Gabrielle Washington contributed three kills and two blocks, including one solo stop, while Carsyn Stansberry added three kills. Savanna Moore chipped in two kills and two block assists.
Defensively, Sydni Poston and Jordan Imperial shared the team lead with eight digs apiece. Triniti Jackson directed the offense with 13 assists and five digs, while Italya Carter added eight assists.
As a team, Tennessee State finished with 29 kills, 28 digs, four service aces and four total blocks while hitting .151.
How It Happened
Set One | Morehead State 25, Tennessee State 20
Tennessee State opened the afternoon with a competitive first set, challenging Morehead State through several early momentum shifts.
The opening frame featured three ties and two lead changes as the Tigers worked to establish their offensive rhythm. Tennessee State recorded nine kills on 25 attempts, hitting .160 while limiting its attacking errors to five.
The Tigers remained within striking distance as the set progressed, but Morehead State used its offensive production to create separation. The Eagles finished with 13 kills in the frame and held off Tennessee State for a 25-20 victory.
Set Two | Morehead State 25, Tennessee State 21
Tennessee State delivered its strongest offensive performance of the afternoon in the second set, recording a match-high 12 kills while hitting .194.
The Tigers continued to challenge the Eagles in a back-and-forth frame that featured five ties and two lead changes. Tennessee State's improved offensive execution kept the set competitive as the Tigers looked to even the match.
Despite the Tigers' efforts, Morehead State responded with 17 kills and a .364 hitting percentage, its highest mark of the afternoon. The Eagles maintained their advantage down the stretch to secure a 25-21 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set Three | Morehead State 25, Tennessee State 14
Tennessee State continued battling in the third set, recording eight kills on 30 attempts while working to extend the match.
The frame featured one tie and one lead change as the Tigers looked to build momentum against the Eagles.
Morehead State maintained its offensive consistency, recording 15 kills on a .333 hitting percentage to take control of the final frame.
The Tigers continued competing at the net, but the Eagles closed out the set, 25-14, to complete the three-set victory.
By the Numbers
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8: Match-high kills for Tennessee State's Melae Lacy, who hit .273.
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.571: Team-best hitting percentage from Gabriella Blevins, who recorded four kills without an attacking error.
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13: Assists recorded by Triniti Jackson.
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8: Digs apiece from Sydni Poston and Jordan Imperial.
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12: Kills recorded by Tennessee State in the second set, its highest total of the afternoon.
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4: Total blocks and service aces recorded by the Tigers.
Up Next
Tennessee State will continue its four-match homestand Nov. 6-7 when the Tigers welcome Southern Indiana to Kean Hall for another Ohio Valley Conference series.
