CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee State volleyball opened the 2026 season with a quick road trip for day one of the Chattanooga Classic on Friday afternoon. The Tigers opened the tournament against host Chattanooga, falling 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 28-26).
Set One | After dropping the first point, TSU went on an early run to take the lead. The teams traded momentum before Chattanooga pulled away to take the opening set, 25-12. The Tigers finished the frame with seven kills.
Set Two | Tennessee State's offense improved in the second set, recording 11 kills while hitting .194. TSU remained within striking distance early before Chattanooga created separation and took the set, 25-14.
Set Three | The Tigers responded with their strongest set of the afternoon, battling through 10 ties and three lead changes. TSU stayed in front during the early portion of the frame before Chattanooga moved ahead. A block from Triniti Jackson and Gabrielle Washington helped spark the Tigers, and an ace from Jackson tied the set at 14. Neither side was able to create much separation down the stretch as TSU pushed the set beyond 25 points before Chattanooga closed it out, 28-26.
Wiktoria Jakubik led Tennessee State offensively in her Tiger debut, finishing with 10 kills on 17 attacks with just one error for a .529 hitting percentage. She also added an ace and a block assist. Melae Lacy followed with eight kills and two block assists, while Sydney Robinson added seven kills and six digs.
Jackson directed the TSU offense with 22 assists while adding seven digs, one ace and a block assist. Sydni Poston recorded a team-high three service aces to go with seven digs, while Jordan Imperial led the Tigers defensively with 15 digs.
The Tigers will be back in action Saturday as they wrap up the Chattanooga Classic against UAB at noon and Valparaiso at 3 p.m.
