PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team put together one of its most resilient performances of the season Friday night, battling back from a two-set deficit before ultimately falling to Mobile in five sets (25-20, 25-11, 22-25, 13-25, 15-9) in the SSAC Match of the Week at the Curry Athletic Complex.
The Firehawks refused to back down after a challenging start, rallying to win the third and fourth sets and forcing a decisive fifth set against one of the conference's top teams.
UT Southern featured a balanced offensive attack, led by Meloise Aureyre with 13 kills, 10 digs, and two service aces. Emma Beardsley added 12 kills, 13 digs, and six block assists for a double-double, while Ashlee Kraft recorded 12 kills and 11 digs.
Sophomore setter Jelleny Mallozzi directed the offense with 36 assists while contributing six digs, two service aces, and three block assists.
At the net, Amree Patterson anchored the Firehawk defense with seven total blocks, while Olivia Ward added six kills, two aces, and five block assists. The Firehawks totaled 23 team blocks and matched Mobile with 10 service aces.
Ashley Cope paced the back row with 13 digs and two aces, helping UT Southern finish with 60 digs in the match.
After dropping the opening two sets, the Firehawks found their rhythm in the third. UT Southern held Mobile to a .000 hitting percentage in the set and carried that momentum into the fourth, where the Firehawks hit .400 and cruised to a 25-13 victory to even the match.
The fifth set remained competitive early before Mobile used a late run to secure the match, preventing UT Southern from completing the reverse sweep.
Match Notes
Up Next
UT Southern closes its weekend homestand on Saturday when the Firehawks host William Carey University at the Curry Athletic Complex. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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