NEW ORLEANS, La. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team closed its Louisiana road trip on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought four-set loss to Loyola University New Orleans, falling 3-1 (24-26, 25-18, 25-19, 25-16) in Southern States Athletic Conference action.
The Firehawks moved to 7-10 overall and 3-1 in SSAC play following the matchup.
UT Southern grabbed the early momentum by rallying for a 26-24 victory in the opening set. The Wolf Pack responded by claiming the next three sets to secure the conference win.
Ashlee Kraft led the Firehawk attack with a match-high 16 kills while adding 13 digs for a double-double. Meloise Aureyre added seven kills, two service aces, and seven digs, while Emma Beardsley contributed 10 kills and 11 digs for another double-double performance.
Sophomore setter Jelleny Mallozzi continued her strong season with 33 assists, 16 digs, two service aces, and two kills. Ashley Cope anchored the back row with a match-high 20 digs and added two service aces.
At the net, Amree Patterson totaled five kills and six blocks, including a solo block, while Olivia Ward recorded three kills and two block assists.
The Firehawks finished with 43 kills, nine service aces, and 15 total blocks. Defensively, UT Southern recorded 68 digs and battled throughout a match that featured 29 tie scores and 12 lead changes.
Match Notes
Up Next
UT Southern returns home next weekend for a pivotal SSAC homestand. The Firehawks will host Mobile on Friday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. before welcoming William Carey University to the Curry Athletic Complex on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Tap in with everything happening around UT Southern Athletics and keep up with the Firehawks all season long.
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/utsathletics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utsouthernathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTSouthernFirehawks
Scores, highlights, announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and more — stay connected and rep the Firehawks everywhere you go. Go Firehawks!
