WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Elizabeth Aylward led with 12 kills, but East Tennessee State University's volleyball team fell 3-0 to Georgia Southern on Friday at Reynolds Gym.
East Tennessee State (0-6) and Georgia Southern (4-3) opened the match with back-and-forth action as a kill by Karis Chatfield assisted by Makayla Bays made the score 7-6 in favor of the Eagles. Quick kills by Georgia Southern allowed them to build their lead to 15-11 into the media timeout. An Eagles' service error followed by a kill from Gianna Blair allowed the Buccaneers to cut their deficit back to two at 15-13, but the Eagles ended the set on a 4-0 run to take the first set, 25-18.
The two teams found themselves tied at 8-8 after an Eagles' service error, as a 9-4 run from the Bucs gave them their largest lead of the set at 17-12 to force a Georgia Southern timeout. The Bucs continued to lead as a kill by Bays gave them the set point at 24-21. The Eagles continued to battle as a 4-0 run allowed them a 25-24 lead. A block by Blair and Bays tied the set at 26, but ultimately kills by Anna Powell and Beka Pfefferkorn ended the set with the Eagles taking the 28-26 win.
Georgia Southern started quickly in the third, taking a 10-5 lead. A kill by Blair allowed the Bucs to get within 11-7, but the Eagles managed to extend their lead to 22-14. The Bucs continued to battle as a 4-0 run, including a kill by Blair, consecutive aces by Sophie Davis, and a block by Blair and Elizabeth Aylward, trimmed their deficit to 22-18. A kill from Aylward and an Eagles' attack error fought off two set points, but the 25-20 third-set win went to Georgia Southern.
The DEACTOWN Invitational continues tomorrow with a 2 p.m. match against East Carolina.
MATCH POINTS
