University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
4-1
Cleveland State
4-1
Vols Fall to Cleveland State in 5 Setter
September 02, 2016 | Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Tennessee Volunteers took a two-set lead against Cleveland State but could not close the door on the match in a 3-2 loss (27-29, 26-28, 25-21, 25-22, 18-16) on Friday night.
The Vols (4-1) fought off seven set points on their way to winning the first two sets, but the Cleveland State Vikings (3-1) evened the match at two sets all.
After the Vols did not convert on a match point at 14-13, the Vikings capitalized on their third match point when Aaliyah Slappy and Grace Kauth redirected an attack by setter Mackenzie Cooler into the middle of the court.
Freshman Tessa Grubbs led the Vols with 23 kills, while seniors Bri Holmes and Raina Hembry totaled 15 each. Freshman Sedona Hansen recorded her second double-double of the day with 45 assists and 13 digs.
Senior Bridgette Villano was one off her career best in digs with 27.
The Vols, who defeated Eastern Michigan 3-1 earlier in the day, continue their whirlwind trip through Ohio on Saturday with a match at Kent State beginning at 6 p.m.
In the first set, the Vols would eventually go on to save five set points. Tennessee 24-22 but fought off a pair of set points to tie the score. Down 27-26, the Vols strung together three points in a row, capturing the set on an ace by Treiber.
The second set was strikingly similar to the first with the Vols down 24-22 and coming back to match the score. After saving the pair of set points, the Vols won the final two points to take it 28-26. Tennessee hit a match-best .316 in the set.
Coming back from the halftime break, Cleveland State broke a 17-17 tie with a kill by Rachel Stover and led the rest of the way, eventually taking the third 25-21.
The Vikings led by as many as seven points in the fourth set. While the Vols closed the lead to 23-21 on a kill by Grubbs, Cleveland State held on to force the deciding set.
NOTES
- Tennessee unveiled its fifth starting lineup in as many matches: Tessa Grubbs, Raina Hembry, Alyssa Andreno, Sedona Hansen, Kelsey Bawcombe and Bridgette Villano at libero.
- In the second set, Kanisha Jimenez made her season debut. She subbed into the back row for Kendra Turner.
- Grubbs recorded her third career match with at least 10 kills. The freshman had 14 at the two-set break. Holmes also had her third match with 10 or more kills.
- Tennessee saved two set points in Saturday's fourth set against Eastern Michigan, giving the Vols nine saved set points on the day in three sets they went on to win.
- Four Vols finished with at least 10 kills: Grubbs (23), Holmes (15), Hembry (15), Treiber (10).
- Villano cracked the 20-dig marker for the first time this season. She finished with 27
- Hansen had her second double-double of the day and third of the season, ending with 45 assists and 13 digs.
- Tennessee went 3-0 in five set matches last year.
