Looking to break their seven-game losing streak, the USI women’s volleyball team faced off against the Tennessee State University Tigers Friday night in Liberty Arena. It was a hard-fought battle.
After being tied at 6 in the first set, Ashby Willis, sophomore outside hitter, and Jasmine Green, graduate right-side hitter, had back-to-back kills that helped create and lengthen the lead for USI. Willis led USI in kills with 12 for the night. Another kill from Green put USI up 20-16, forcing TSU to call a timeout.
After the timeout, TSU went on a three-point run, making it a one-point contest. The Screaming Eagles did not let this discourage them, and they found themselves at a set point after a block by Carly Sobieralski, senior setter. USI was up 24-21, but they learned there was little breathing room for error.
Suddenly, it was a tie game, and the Tigers took home the first set after a block from TSU’s Storm White, graduate opposite hitter. The final score in the first set was 27-25.
The second set was even more compelling. USI found itself down 5-2 but was able to come back and tie things up. The lead went back and forth until Paris Downing, senior middle hitter, and Green, with back-to-back hits, created the momentum that led to a 23-5 run. USI won by 15 and managed to keep them down to 10 points. The final score was 25-10, with USI claiming a vengeful victory.
USI again found itself down 5-2 in the third set, but unfortunately for the Screaming Eagles, the third set did not mirror the second. Sequential aces from USI’s Abby Weber, senior outside hitter, gave the Screaming Eagles the lead for the first time this set, making the score 7-6.
However, after another kill from TSU’s White, they never looked back. With 11, White and Celestial Miller, senior outside hitter, co-led in kills for the Tigers. The result was 25-17, and TSU was looking to end the match in four sets
For the first time in this matchup, USI claimed the first point after an attack error from the Tigers. They managed to keep the lead until Maggie Keenan, graduate middle blocker, put it down, putting TSU ahead. The Tigers inched their way to the finish line, with Maygan Miller-Garcia, junior middle blocker, creating three of their final four points. TSU took set four 25-21 and the game 3-1.
Following last season’s success, many would have thought USI was poised to build on a 15-16 record in 2023 (10-8 in conference play). Instead, this season has been a noticeable regression, as they currently sit at 8-18 (3-11 in conference play), including Saturday’s Senior Day shutout defeat. Despite their losing streak, they can still make the Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball playoffs, but it would take a miracle.