HTML STATS | PDF STATS
NASHVILLE -- The Morehead State volleyball team won the first two sets on Friday night at Kean Hall, but Tennessee State stormed back to take the final three sets and match in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both schools. Set scores were 17-25, 16-25, 32-30, 27-25, 15-12.
The Tigers improve to 6-9 overall and 2-0 at home, while the Eagles slip to 0-14 overall and 0-4 on the road. Despite the loss, Morehead State continues to hold a 47-9 all-time advantage against Tennessee State. The defeat was MSU's first in a league opener since Sept. 21, 2005.
Morehead State jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the match by hitting .278 in the opening set and .294 in the second stanza. The Eagles recorded 31 kills and just five errors before intermission.
After hitting .000 and .031 in the first two sets, Tennessee State responded by posting offensive percentages of .286, .176 and .364 the rest of the way. The Tigers collected 40 winners and just 14 miscues over the final three sets. MSU did, however, register a 71-52 kills advantage for the night.
Morehead State sophomore libero Hope Rillema, who tallied just 23 digs all of last season, managed a career-best 31 in the five-set contest. Junior middle blocker Hannah Sigala paced the Eagles with a career-high 18 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Bailey Nichol chipped in with 15.
Tennessee State's balanced effort featured four players with double-figure kills and four others with double-figure digs. Junior middle/outside hitter Haley Hampton notched a match-high five blocks in addition to 11 kills, while senior outside hitter Taylor Swayzer contributed 14 winners.
The Eagles collected seven aces, but committed 14 service errors. The Tigers managed six aces, with 10 service miscues. Tennessee State freshman Samantha Beltran dished out a match-best 46 assists. The match featured 36 ties, including 17 in the third set, and 14 lead changes.
Morehead State wraps up the road trip on Saturday when it visits conference opponent Belmont (4-10 overall, 0-1 OVC). First serve from the Curb Event Center is set for 3 p.m. ET. The Eagles are 5-1 all-time against the Bruins.
