CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2024) – East Tennessee State University head coach Lindsey Devine earned her 300th win as a Buccaneer in ETSU's 3-0 win over Queens on Saturday.

"Thank you to ETSU for giving me the opportunity to be the head volleyball coach," Devine said after the match. "These wins are the sum of the hard work and commitment that many players, assistant coaches and support staff have put into this program. I hope that when those people read this article or see the social media post, they will recall a special memory and know that they were a big part of this milestone."

Graduate setter Reese Rhodes was named the Queen City Invitational MVP following her 132 assist weekend. She also notched 16 kills, 26 digs, seven blocks and three aces across the 12 sets. Senior middle blocker Abbey Thomas and graduate right side Jenna Forster also notched spots on the all-tournament team. Thomas finished with 26 kills, powered by a career-high 13 vs. NC Central, on .447% hitting with 15 blocks, 14 digs and five aces. Forster totaled 34 kills, nine digs and six blocks, including a season-high 13 vs. Charlotte.

Forster led the Bucs with 11 kills against the Royals. Rhodes posted 33 assists, sophomore libero Melanie Morris and freshman outside hitter Makayla Bays notched 16 and 15 digs, respectively. Bays' mark is a career high and the first double-digit dig match for the freshman.

The Blue & Gold raced out of the gate in the first set. Forster had a pair of kills and Thomas added one early as ETSU jumped out to an 8-2 lead. Five Bucs tallied multiple kills in the set and Thomas had a hand in three blocks in the 25-18 set victory.

Queens kept the second set closer than the first, playing the Bucs to a 12-12 tie. Rhodes broke the margin in favor of ETSU with one of her five kills of the match, and the Bucs would not relinquish the lead. Forster and junior middle blocker Whitley Rammel closed the set with a block to give the Bucs the 25-21 victory and 2-0 lead in the match.

ETSU showed its toughness in the final set of the match. The Royals battled back to a 16-8 lead and forced the Bucs to take both timeouts early. However, junior opposite Isabelle Iosua recorded a kill to send Thomas to the service line. Down 17-11, the senior spearheaded a 6-0 run to tie the match. Forster had two kills and Iosua added another in the run. Queens didn't back down after the run, eventually getting three set points. However, a Royals service error negated the first, Thomas recorded a solo block to erase the second, and senior outside hitter Amanda Lowe had a kill to stave off the final set point. Forster put a bow on Devine's 300th win moments later with a kill to give ETSU the final set 27-25.|

Devine Milestone Wins at ETSU
Win 1 – 3-0 vs. Campbell, 2003
Win 25 – 3-0 vs. King College, 2005
Win 50 – 3-1 vs. North Florida, 2006
Win 75 – 3-1 vs. Radford, 2007
Win 100 – 3-1 vs. North Florida, 2009
Win 150 – 3-2 vs. Alabama State, 2012
Win 200 – 3-2 vs. Western Carolina, 2014
Win 250 – 3-0 at The Citadel, 2017
Win 300 – 3-0 at Queens, Sept 21, 2024

Devine's daughter, Megan, is the all-time program leader in kills and was on the team during Devine's 150th win over Alabama State. On Devine's most recent accomplishment, Megan said "Many years of hard work wearing the Blue and Gold. Couldn't ask for a better coach to lead the Bucs! We are so proud of you Mom!" 

Next, ETSU has its home and conference opener at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Brooks Gymnasium vs. UNC Greensboro. For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, follow @ETSUVolleyball on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and visit ETSUBucs.com.