PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team battled back and forth with William Carey University for five sets on Saturday afternoon, but the Crusaders escaped with a 3-2 victory (25-22, 22-25, 17-25, 25-12, 15-9) at the Curry Athletic Complex.
For the second consecutive day, the Firehawks took one of the Southern States Athletic Conference's top programs to a decisive fifth set. After forcing a fifth set against Mobile on Friday night, UT Southern once again showcased its resilience and competitiveness before ultimately coming up short.
The opening set was tightly contested throughout, with the Crusaders holding off the Firehawks for a 25-22 victory. UT Southern quickly answered in the second set, surviving eight ties and seven lead changes before closing out a 25-22 win to even the match at one set apiece.
The Firehawks carried that momentum into the third set and turned in one of their strongest offensive performances of the afternoon. UT Southern hit .310 in the frame and pulled away late for a convincing 25-17 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
William Carey responded in the fourth set, using a highly efficient attack to regain control and force a deciding fifth set with a 25-12 win.
In the winner-take-all fifth set, the Crusaders built an early advantage and maintained separation throughout the frame. Despite another spirited effort from the Firehawks, William Carey secured the set 15-9 and claimed the match.
Ashlee Kraft led the Firehawk attack with 14 kills while adding 15 digs, four service aces, and two block assists. Meloise Aureyre posted 11 kills, 18 digs, and two service aces, while Emma Beardsley recorded a double-double of her own with 11 kills and 15 digs.
Amree Patterson continued her strong season in the middle, finishing with 12 kills on a .500 hitting percentage while adding three blocks. Olivia Ward chipped in seven kills and three block assists.
Sophomore setter Jelleny Mallozzi directed the offense with 38 assists and also delivered one of her most efficient attacking performances of the season, totaling six kills on a .750 hitting percentage. She added seven digs and a service ace.
Defensively, Ashley Cope anchored the back row with 15 digs as the Firehawks finished with 77 digs and 61 kills as a team.
Match Notes
- Ashlee Kraft: 14 kills, 15 digs, 4 aces
- Amree Patterson: 12 kills, .500 hitting percentage
- Meloise Aureyre: 11 kills, 18 digs, 2 aces
- Emma Beardsley: 11 kills, 15 digs
- Jelleny Mallozzi: 38 assists, 6 kills, .750 hitting percentage
- Ashley Cope: 15 digs
- UT Southern totaled 61 kills and 77 digs
- Three Firehawks recorded double-doubles
- The Firehawks played back-to-back five-set matches against Mobile and William Carey
Up Next
UT Southern returns to the road next weekend for a pair of SSAC contests in Georgia. The Firehawks will face Life University on Friday, Oct. 9, before taking on Point University on Saturday, Oct. 10.
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