BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team Closed out the 2024 regular season playing not only in a tough environment but facing Blue Mountain Christian on Friday night. The Firehawks fell in straight sets to the Toppers, (25-18, 25-21, 25-18).
From the early going in the opening set, BMC took an early 10-3 lead. A UT Southern timeout changed the early momentum as the Firehawks battled back from the seven-point deficit to trail 14-12. The rally back was powered by kills by Olivia Ward, Morgan Avrit, and Sophia Ortega. The Firehawks fell victim to an 11-6 BMC run to close out the opening set.
In the second set, the Firehawks took the early lead at 8-5. The strong start was a result of three kills by Avrit and a one kill by Ortega and Dani Medina. Later in the set, the Firehawks trailed 17-13, but a pair of kills by Avrit and one by Ward closed the deficit to one at 19-18. UTS fell in set two 25-21.
In the final set, both teams traded points leading to a 4-4 tie. Some untimely UTS errors aided BMC to pull away to lead 14-8. UTS fought back with a 4-0 run with an ace from Avrit and kills by Madison Farmer. The Toppers would end up taking the set with another big run.
Offensively, the Firehawks were led by Ward with eight kills on 26 swings. Avrit and Ortega each added seven terminations. Defensively, Isabella Garza led with 18 digs, and Emma Price added 12 digs. Laura Howell tallied 29 assists in the match.
SOUTHERN STATES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
With Faulkner's 3-2 win tonight over Brewton-Parker, the Firehawks are heading to Montgomery, Ala., next week for the SSAC Championship. The Multiplex at Cramton Bowl will be the site for a full slate of tournament action. UTS will play three matches of pool play to try to advance to the four-team playoff bracket for the conference championship.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will travel to Montgomery, Ala., to compete in the SSAC Championship beginning on November 14^th. Three matches of pool play will be announced later after the final conference matches conclude tomorrow.
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