PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team completed a perfect Homecoming weekend on Saturday afternoon, defeating Xavier University of Louisiana 3-1 (16-25, 25-12, 25-23, 28-26) at the Curry Athletic Complex. The victory improved the Firehawks to 11-14 overall and 7-5 in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
Following Friday night's sweep of Loyola University New Orleans, UT Southern closed the weekend with another impressive conference win, strengthening its position in the middle of the SSAC standings.
The Firehawks totaled 54 kills, 65 digs, and 13 service aces while overcoming a slow start to secure their second conference victory of the weekend.
Ashlee Kraft paced the offense with a match-high 20 kills while adding nine digs, four service aces, and two block assists. Meloise Aureyre contributed 12 kills, 15 digs, and five service aces for a double-double, while Emma Beardsley added 10 kills, 11 digs, and two service aces to record a double-double of her own.
Sophomore setter Jelleny Mallozzi directed the attack with 40 assists and 10 digs while adding four kills and a service ace. Ashley Cope anchored the back row with a team-high 16 digs and a service ace.
The Gold Nuggets controlled the opening set, holding UT Southern to a .000 hitting percentage on the way to a 25-16 victory.
The Firehawks responded immediately in the second set. UT Southern hit .300 and limited Xavier to a .000 attack percentage while cruising to a 25-12 win to even the match.
The third set proved to be a pivotal swing set. UT Southern recorded 16 kills while hitting .289 and held off a late Xavier surge to claim a 25-23 victory and take its first lead of the afternoon.
The fourth set delivered the drama Homecoming weekend deserved. The teams combined for 12 ties and six lead changes in the frame alone, trading points throughout the set. Xavier fought off multiple match points and eventually earned set point opportunities of its own, but the Firehawks continued to answer. Behind key attacks from Kraft and Aureyre and strong play from the service line, UT Southern finally secured a 28-26 victory to complete the comeback and sweep the Homecoming weekend.
Olivia Ward added six kills and four block assists, while the Firehawks finished with 13 service aces and 13 total blocks in one of their most balanced performances of conference play.
Match Notes
- Ashlee Kraft: 20 kills, 9 digs, 4 aces
- Meloise Aureyre: 12 kills, 15 digs, 5 aces
- Emma Beardsley: 10 kills, 11 digs, 2 aces
- Jelleny Mallozzi: 40 assists, 10 digs, 4 kills
- Ashley Cope: 16 digs
- Olivia Ward: 6 kills, 4 block assists
- UT Southern recorded 54 kills, 65 digs, and 13 service aces
- The Firehawks finished Homecoming weekend with victories over Loyola and Xavier
- UT Southern improved to 7-5 in SSAC play
Up Next
UT Southern heads to Mississippi and Alabama next weekend for a pair of pivotal SSAC road matches. The Firehawks will face William Carey University on Friday before traveling to take on Mobile on Saturday.
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