ATHENS, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team opened the 2026 season Friday at the TWU Tri-Match, battling through a pair of competitive contests against IU Southeast and Tennessee Wesleyan University at James L. Robb Gymnasium. The Firehawks dropped a hard-fought four-set match to IU Southeast before falling in straight sets to host Tennessee Wesleyan.
UT Southern showed plenty of promise throughout the day, led by a balanced attack featuring returning All-SSAC performers Ashlee Kraft, Emma Beardsley, and Amree Patterson, while newcomer Meloise Aureyre made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut.
Match One: IU Southeast 3, UT Southern 1
The Firehawks opened the season by pushing IU Southeast throughout a tightly contested four-set match. After dropping the opening set 25-23, UT Southern responded with a strong 25-18 victory in the second set to even the match. The Grenadiers escaped with a pair of narrow wins in the final two sets, 25-23 and 26-24, to claim the match.
Kraft led the Firehawks offensively with 15 kills, while Beardsley added 10 kills and Aureyre contributed seven kills and three service aces. Patterson turned in an efficient performance with six kills and a match-high seven blocks.
Freshman setter Jelleny Mallozzi directed the offense with 31 assists while adding five kills of her own. Defensively, Ashley Cope paced UT Southern with 20 digs, while Aureyre and Kraft each recorded 15 digs.
Match Two: Tennessee Wesleyan 3, UT Southern 0
The Firehawks returned to the floor against host Tennessee Wesleyan and battled throughout the match despite the final 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 scoreline. UT Southern saved its best effort for the third set, staying within striking distance before the Bulldogs closed out the sweep.
Kraft again led the Firehawks attack with 15 kills, marking her second consecutive 15-kill performance of the day. Aureyre and Patterson each added six kills, while Olivia Ward chipped in three kills on a .250 hitting percentage.
Mallozzi handed out 30 assists, and Cope anchored the back row with 12 digs. Beardsley turned in a strong all-around effort, recording 17 digs to go along with five kills.
By the Numbers
- Ashlee Kraft finished the day with 30 kills and 22 digs.
- Jelleny Mallozzi totaled 61 assists, 20 digs, and six kills across two matches.
- Amree Patterson recorded 12 kills and 10 total blocks on the day.
- Meloise Aureyre made an impressive UT Southern debut with 13 kills, 24 digs, and three service aces.
Up Next
UT Southern will continue its opening week schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 25, when the Firehawks travel to McKenzie to take on rival Bethel University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Crisp Arena.
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