GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball team concluded play at the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invitational on Saturday, dropping competitive matches to Olivet Nazarene University and No. 12 Aquinas College.
Despite the results, the Firehawks challenged two quality opponents throughout the day and received standout performances from Meloise Aureyre, Amree Patterson, and Jelleny Mallozzi.
Olivet Nazarene 3, UT Southern 0
The Firehawks pushed Olivet Nazarene to the brink in each set before falling 26-24, 25-21, 27-25.
UT Southern forced extra points in both the first and third sets and remained within striking distance throughout the match against the Tigers.
Meloise Aureyre led the Firehawks with 15 kills while hitting .270 and adding seven digs. Amree Patterson continued her strong play in the middle with 11 kills, a .364 hitting percentage, and six total blocks.
Mallozzi turned in one of her best all-around performances of the season, recording 30 assists, 15 digs, and five kills while hitting .714. Emma Beardsley paced the defense with 16 digs, while Ashley Cope added 14 digs.
No. 12 Aquinas 3, UT Southern 1
Facing the tournament host and No. 12-ranked Saints, the Firehawks opened with one of their strongest sets of the season, claiming a 25-22 first-set victory.
UT Southern remained competitive throughout the second set before Aquinas evened the match with a 25-22 win. The Saints took control in the final two sets to secure the match, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-8.
Aureyre once again led the Firehawk offense, finishing with 13 kills while hitting .393 and adding two service aces. Ashlee Kraft contributed eight kills and a team-high five aces.
Mallozzi distributed 27 assists and collected nine digs, while Patterson added four block assists at the net. Emma Beardsley chipped in four kills and five digs, and Ashley Cope recorded eight digs.
Tournament Notes
- Meloise Aureyre totaled 28 kills across Saturday's two matches.
- Amree Patterson recorded 14 kills and 10 total blocks.
- Jelleny Mallozzi finished the day with 57 assists and 24 digs.
- Emma Beardsley registered 21 digs over the two matches.
- The Firehawks won a set against a nationally ranked Aquinas squad and pushed Olivet Nazarene to extra points in two sets.
Up Next
UT Southern returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Firehawks travel to Columbia, Kentucky, to face Lindsey Wilson College. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. before the Firehawks return home on Sept. 10 to host Bethel University at the Curry Athletic Complex.
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