Tennessee State Volleyball swept 3-0 by UT Martin

Courtesy of Scott Wallace, Communications Coordinator for Volleyball & Softball , Tennessee State Athletics

3

UTM

0

TSU

The Tennessee State volleyball team lost to the UT Martin Skyhawks in straight sets (15-25, 23-25, 19-25) Tuesday at home at Kean Hall.The loss dropped TSU’s record to 2-16 overall and 2-6 in OVC action. 

A double-double led the Tigers from Jayla Holcombe, who registered 13 kills and 12 digs on the day. Celestial Miller also added six kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Celianiz Cabranes chipped in with ten digs to go with six blocks from Kennedy Davis.

Game Notes

» Jadyn Webb had a team-high one ace in the loss.
» Kennedy Davis had a match-high six blocks.
» Jayla Holcombe registered a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs
» Jayla Holcombe had a match-high 13 kills for TSU.
» Tennessee State got a team-high 12 digs from Jayla Holcombe.
» Tennessee State attackers were helped by a team-high 23 assists from Aleksandra Rojecka.

How It Happened

SET 1 | 15-25 Slow Start Hurts Tigers
The Tigers found themselves in an early hole, losing the first set 25-15. TSU scored the match’s first point but struggled the rest of the set. The Tigers trailed by as many as 10 points as UT Martin grabbed the advantage for good at 2-1 in a set that was tied up just once before the Skyhawks took control. UTM took advantage at the media break with some precise hitting, swinging at a .353 clip to take a 15-8 lead. Holcombe was a bright spot for the Tigers in the set as she converted on three kills and had a .250 hitting percentage. UTM finished the set with three players hitting over .400. 

SET 2 | Late Rally Gives UTM a 2-0 Advantage
A 25-23 set-two loss put Tennessee State in a 2-0 deficit in the match. The Tigers fell in a back-and-forth set, losing in a stanza that featured four lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team led by more than three points along the way. An early 4-0 run gave TSU a 6-4 advantage. UTM clawed back in to take the lead, but a 3-0 run gave the Tigers a 15-14 lead at the media break. The Tigers looked to take control of the set when they went on a 4-1 to take a 20-17 lead, forcing a Martin timeout. The timeout gave the Skyhawks momentum as they went on a 5-0 run that turned into a 6-1 run to force set point. The Tigers scored the following two points to make it interesting but couldn’t get any closer. 

SET 3 | Overturned Call Turns The Tide, Gives Martin to Take The Match 
Tennessee State could not win set three and was swept by UT Martin. The Tigers dropped a tough set 25-19. Tennessee State trailed by as many as six points as UT Martin grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that was tied up six times before the Skyhawks took over the lead. Early in the set, the Tigers went on a 4-1 run to take an 8-5 lead. A 5-1 run got Martin back in the set as they took a 10-9 lead. TSU looked like they tied the set at 12, but an overturned review gave the Skyhawks a 13-11 lead. UTM took a 15-12 advantage at the break. They were money at the service line, scoring four aces. The Tigers stayed close with their defense as they forced seven errors.  The Tigers couldn’t overcome the lead to finish with their sixth loss in a row. 

The Tigers will hit the road to take on Little Rock this Friday and Saturday. 

Next Match:
at Little Rock
10/20/2023 | 6:00 PM
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