CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Tennessee State volleyball turned in a productive offensive performance Friday afternoon, recording 34 kills and six team blocks in a three-set loss to SEMO (22-25, 14-25, 16-25) at Houck Field House.

The Tigers (0-21, 0-10 OVC) opened the match with a strong offensive showing, hitting .294 in the first set while building an early seven-point advantage. Tennessee State finished the afternoon hitting .202, with five players recording at least three kills.

Wiktoria Jakubik led the Tigers with 10 kills and three block assists, while Carsyn Stansberry added seven kills on 16 attempts for a .312 hitting percentage.

Gabrielle Washington was efficient on both sides of the net, finishing with four kills on eight attempts without an error to hit .500. She also recorded a solo block and three block assists, contributing to four of Tennessee State's six team blocks.

Sydney Robinson added five kills and eight digs, while Melae Lacy contributed four kills. Triniti Jackson dished out a team-high 15 assists, and Jordan Imperial anchored the back row with 11 digs.

How It Happened

Set 1: SEMO 25, Tennessee State 22

Tennessee State came out strong in the opening set, taking a 3-0 lead behind a SEMO attack error and consecutive blocks from Washington, including a solo stop and a combined block with Jakubik.

The Tigers maintained their advantage as Jakubik delivered two early kills, while Gabriella Blevins added another to extend the lead to 7-3.

Stansberry continued the offensive production with a kill, then teamed with Blevins for a block to put Tennessee State ahead 9-5.

After the Redhawks worked their way back into the set, Tennessee State responded with a three-point run behind kills from Robinson and Stansberry and a SEMO attack error, extending its lead to 17-13 and forcing a Redhawks timeout.

SEMO answered with a five-point stretch to take an 18-17 advantage, but Tennessee State stayed within striking distance. Washington delivered a kill, and Jackson followed with another to keep the Tigers close at 20-19.

Jakubik added a late kill to cut the deficit to 23-21, and a SEMO service error brought Tennessee State within two again at 24-22 before the Redhawks secured the set.

The Tigers finished the opening frame with 14 kills and a .294 hitting percentage.

Set 2: SEMO 25, Tennessee State 14

SEMO opened the second set with four consecutive points before Lacy put Tennessee State on the board with a kill.

Jakubik provided an early offensive spark with consecutive kills, while Robinson added another as the Tigers worked to cut into the deficit.

A combined block from Blevins and Stansberry gave Tennessee State its fifth point, and Lacy followed with a kill to make it 12-6.

Jackson and Jakubik connected for another point before Jakubik teamed with Washington for a block, bringing the Tigers within five at 12-7.

Jakubik continued to lead the offense with another kill, while Robinson and Blevins contributed points later in the set.

Facing set point, Jakubik delivered her fifth kill of the frame to extend play before SEMO closed out the set, 25-14.

Set 3: SEMO 25, Tennessee State 16

Tennessee State opened the third set with another competitive stretch, overcoming an early 2-0 deficit with three consecutive points.

Washington started the run with a kill, Robinson followed with another, and Washington and Jakubik combined for a block to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Robinson added another kill, and a SEMO attack error pushed Tennessee State ahead 5-3.

After the Redhawks moved in front 7-5, Jakubik answered with a kill. Stansberry then delivered consecutive kills to even the score at 8-8.

SEMO responded with a six-point run to take a 14-8 lead, but Stansberry ended the stretch with another kill.

Washington added two kills during the middle portion of the set, while the Tigers continued to battle late.

Trailing 22-12, Tennessee State scored consecutive points to reach 14. A SEMO service error and another Stansberry kill brought the Tigers to 16 before the Redhawks secured the final point.

By the Numbers

• 10: Team-high kills for Wiktoria Jakubik, who also recorded three block assists.

• .500: Hitting percentage for Gabrielle Washington, who finished with four kills and no errors.

• .312: Hitting percentage for Carsyn Stansberry, who recorded seven kills.

• 34: Tennessee State's total kills, with the Tigers hitting .202 for the match.

• 6: Team blocks for Tennessee State, including four involving Washington.

• 15: Assists from Triniti Jackson.

• 11: Digs from Jordan Imperial.

• .294: Tennessee State's hitting percentage in the opening set.

Up Next

Tennessee State returns to Kean Hall for a two-match Ohio Valley Conference series against Southern Indiana on Nov. 6-7.