PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team weathered several momentum swings Thursday night, defeating Brewton-Parker Christian in straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 27-25) inside the Curry Athletic Complex. The victory marked the 19th all-time meeting between the programs, with the Firehawks improving to a perfect 19-0 against Brewton-Parker Christian.
The match was anything but routine, as Tennessee Southern repeatedly answered Brewton-Parker Christian runs before delivering clutch plays in key moments of every set.
First Set: Firehawks Erase Early Deficit and Survive Late Baron Rally
Brewton-Parker Christian grabbed control immediately, opening the match with four consecutive points and forcing the Firehawks to play from behind. Tennessee Southern gradually settled in and answered with a 7-1 stretch to take a 7-5 lead, swinging the early momentum in its favor.
The Firehawks continued to build separation behind strong serving and timely kills from Emma Beardsley and Ashlee Kraft. A pair of Beardsley kills helped fuel a decisive run that extended the lead to 20-13, putting Tennessee Southern firmly in command.
Just when the set appeared secure, Brewton-Parker Christian mounted a furious comeback. Four consecutive points cut the deficit to 23-19, and after Tennessee Southern reached set point at 24-19, the Barons rattled off three more points to pull within 24-22. Following a Firehawk timeout, Tennessee Southern finally stopped the surge with a Brewton-Parker Christian attack error to secure the 25-22 victory.
Second Set: Tennessee Southern Builds Cushion, Then Delivers in Crunch Time
The second set remained close through the opening exchanges before the Firehawks found another gear. With the score tied at 6-6, Tennessee Southern seized momentum behind the serving of Meloise Aureyre, who helped fuel a seven-point run that turned a one-point advantage into a commanding 13-6 lead. Two service aces, a pair of Baron errors, and strong net play highlighted the stretch.
Brewton-Parker Christian refused to go away. The Barons gradually chipped away at the deficit and closed within 18-15 before Tennessee Southern answered with another surge, pushing the lead back to 21-15 and appearing poised for a comfortable finish.
Momentum shifted again late as Brewton-Parker Christian scored seven of the next nine points to even the set at 22-22, completing its second major comeback attempt of the night. Rather than panic, the Firehawks responded with their strongest volleyball of the frame. Olivia Ward delivered a clutch kill for the lead, Brewton-Parker Christian committed an attack error, and Aureyre capped the set with a service ace as Tennessee Southern closed on a 3-0 run to claim another 25-22 win.
Third Set: Firehawks Win a Thriller to Complete the Sweep
The final set featured the night's biggest momentum swings. Neither team could create meaningful separation through the first half, with the lead changing hands several times as both sides traded points.
Tennessee Southern eventually gained control midway through the set. Back-to-back kills from Kraft turned a one-point lead into a 13-9 advantage, and the Firehawks continued to press forward. Behind contributions from Beardsley, Kraft, Irby Norris, and Jelleny Mallozzi, Tennessee Southern stretched the lead to 22-17 and stood just three points from the sweep.
Brewton-Parker Christian delivered one final push. A pair of service aces cut the margin to 22-20 before consecutive Firehawk attack errors tied the set at 23-23. Moments later, a Baron service ace gave Brewton-Parker Christian its first set point of the evening at 24-23, completing a seven-point swing from Tennessee Southern's earlier five-point lead.
Facing the prospect of a fourth set, the Firehawks produced their biggest plays of the match. Beardsley immediately answered with a kill to level the score at 24-24. On the following rally, Beardsley and Ward teamed up for a block that gave Tennessee Southern a 25-24 advantage and shifted momentum back to the home side. Brewton-Parker Christian tied the set once more at 25-25, but Beardsley came through again with another kill before the Firehawks closed the match on a Baron attack error, sealing the 27-25 victory and the sweep.
Firehawk Leaders
Beardsley led Tennessee Southern with 10 kills and 12 digs for a double-double while delivering several of the night's biggest points. Kraft added nine kills and two aces, Aureyre contributed six kills and four service aces, and Mallozzi directed the offense with 26 assists.
As a team, Tennessee Southern finished with 35 kills, 10 service aces, and a .185 attack percentage while limiting Brewton-Parker Christian to a .122 hitting percentage. The Firehawks improved to 8-14 overall and 4-5 in SSAC play while maintaining their perfect mark in the all-time series.
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