MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team picked up its first victory of the 2026 season Tuesday evening, sweeping rival Bethel University 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-21) inside Crisp Arena. The win improved the Firehawks to 1-2 on the season.
UT Southern controlled the match from the outset, recording a .200 team hitting percentage while limiting the Wildcats to just .018 hitting. The Firehawks also dominated at the net with 19 total blocks and finished with 10 service aces in the victory.
After opening the match with a 25-13 first-set win, the Firehawks continued their momentum in the second set, holding Bethel to a negative hitting percentage on the way to a 25-14 victory. The Wildcats put together their strongest performance in the third set, but UT Southern closed out the sweep with a 25-21 win.
Emma Beardsley paced the Firehawk attack with seven kills while hitting .375 and adding four block assists. Ashlee Kraft and Méloïse Aureyre each contributed five kills and two service aces, while Olivia Ward added four kills on a team-best .429 hitting percentage.
Amree Patterson once again made her presence felt in the middle, finishing with four kills, three solo blocks, five block assists, and a match-high 9.5 points. Patterson helped anchor a UT Southern defensive effort that held Bethel to 30 kills on 110 attack attempts.
Sophomore setter Jelleny Mallozzi directed the offense with 18 assists, seven digs, three kills, one ace, and two block assists. Defensively, Beardsley led the Firehawks with 11 digs, while Aureyre added nine digs and Ashley Cope chipped in seven.
Match Notes
- UT Southern recorded its first sweep of the season.
- The Firehawks held a 49-37 advantage in total points.
- UT Southern totaled 10 service aces and 19 total blocks in the victory.
- Patterson led all players with eight total blocks.
Up Next
The Firehawks head to Bowling Green, Kentucky, this weekend for the Vette City Classic, hosted by Lindsey Wilson College. UT Southern opens tournament play on Friday, Aug. 28, against Indiana University East and the University of Pikeville before concluding the event Saturday against Campbellsville University and Union Commonwealth University.
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