COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Wiktoria Jakubik turned in an efficient offensive performance as Tennessee State volleyball closed the Golden Eagle Invitational with a 3-0 loss to host Tennessee Tech on Saturday afternoon at the Eblen Center.
The Golden Eagles took the match 25-20, 25-12, 25-15. Tennessee State moved to 0-6 on the season.
Jakubik led the Tigers offensively with eight kills on 12 attempts without an attack error, finishing with a .667 hitting percentage. She also added a block assist and a dig.
The performance capped a strong weekend for Jakubik, who was named to the Golden Eagle Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Gabrielle Washington continued her efficient play in the middle, recording four kills on seven attempts without an error for a .571 hitting percentage. Washington also added three block assists. Sydney Robinson finished with four kills, three block assists and the Tigers' lone service ace.
Triniti Jackson finished with 12 assists and six digs, while Italya Carter led TSU with eight digs. Jordan Imperial added six digs.
Set One — Tennessee Tech 25, Tennessee State 20
Tennessee State stayed with Tennessee Tech throughout the opening set, which featured seven ties and five lead changes.
Back-to-back points gave the Tigers an early 5-3 advantage, with Robinson recording a kill during the stretch. After Tennessee Tech moved ahead 13-10, TSU answered with three straight points. Jakubik started the run with a kill before Washington and Robinson teamed up for consecutive blocks to even the score at 13.
The Tigers later trailed 18-15 before scoring twice to pull within 18-17 on a Tennessee Tech service error and a Melae Lacy kill, forcing the Golden Eagles to call timeout. TSU made another push late, scoring consecutive points on a Tech attack error and a Jakubik kill to make it 24-20 before the Golden Eagles took the set.
TSU recorded 11 kills and hit .192 in the opening frame, its best offensive set of the match.
Set Two — Tennessee Tech 25, Tennessee State 12
Washington opened the second set with a kill, and a Tennessee Tech attack error gave TSU an early 2-0 advantage. The teams were tied at 3 before the Golden Eagles scored five straight to move ahead 8-3. Jakubik ended the run with a kill.
Washington added another kill later in the frame, and Blevins and Robinson combined for a block to bring the Tigers within 13-10. Tennessee Tech responded down the stretch to take the second set, 25-12.
Set Three — Tennessee Tech 25, Tennessee State 15
Washington again gave the Tigers the first point, recording a kill to open the third set. Jakubik followed with a kill to tie the score at 2, and TSU remained within two at 7-5 after Moore and Blevins combined for a block.
After Tennessee Tech extended its advantage, TSU worked back within two at 13-11. Robinson started the push with a kill before Jakubik and Blevins combined for a block. Blevins later added a kill to make it 14-12.
The Tigers made another push after falling behind 18-12, scoring consecutive points on a Tennessee Tech attack error and Robinson service ace to cut the deficit to 18-14. The Golden Eagles answered with five straight points and went on to close the set, 25-15.
Tennessee State finished the match with 21 kills, 20 assists and 28 digs. The Tigers also recorded 12 block assists, with Washington, Robinson and Blevins each contributing three.
Up Next
Tennessee State returns to Nashville for its home opener Tuesday against North Alabama at 6 p.m. at Kean Hall. The match will feature a Block Party theme, with the first 50 TSU freshmen receiving a signed graphic poster.
