JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team forced Liberty to five sets, but ultimately fell 3-2 to round out the Buccaneer Classic on Saturday at Brooks Gymnasium.
Liberty (2-1) took the lead early on East Tennessee State (0-3), taking the first set 25-23.Â
The Buccaneers battled back in the second set, as a kill by Karis Chatfield tied the set at 19. A 6-2 run by the Bucs ended the set, allowing the home team to take the second set, 25-21.Â
The two teams fought back-and-forth in the third set as the set saw 20 ties and eight score changes. A kill by Chatfield tied the set at 25, and the Bucs managed to lead 30-29 with a kill from Makayla Bays. The Flames ended the set on a 3-0 run to take the set at 32-30 and a 2-1 match lead headed into the fourth.
The Buccaneers held the Flames to just 13 points in the fourth set, hitting .538 as a team. Chatfield had five kills in the fourth set, as Bays and Sophie Davis combined for six. The Bucs ended the set with a 3-0 run to take the set 25-13 and force a fifth set.Â
Consecutive aces by Chatfield, followed by a kill from Phoenix Fogel and a Flames' attack error, allowed the Bucs to lead 4-1 in the fifth frame. Liberty battled back and tied the set at 9 with a kill by Addison Hart. The Bucs and the Flames traded points, as a block by Gianna Blair and Elizabeth Aylward forced a Flames' timeout with the Bucs up 14-13. The two teams found themselves tied once again at 16, but a kill from Layla Collins and a block by Laney Daniell and Paige Overcash ended the match with the Flames taking the 3-2 victory.Â
Up next, the Buccaneers will travel to Richmond, Virginia, for the Virginia Commonwealth Tournament, Sept. 4-5.Â
Match points
Buccaneer Classic All-Tournament Team
- Chidera Ozoh- Akron
- Carly O'Brien- LibertyÂ
- Belle Patrick- Auburn
- Karis Chatfield- ETSU
