East Tennessee State University

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team dropped a five-set decision at Wake Forest on Sunday, at Reynolds Gym.

Wake Forest (4-5) began the first set quickly, taking a 15-11 lead at the break. Wake Forest continued to extend its lead with an 8-5 run to 23-16, forcing an East Tennessee State (1-7) timeout. A kill by Sophie Davis would fend off a Wake Forest set point, but a Buccaneer service error would end the set with Wake Forest taking the 25-17 win. 

The two teams battled back and forth to open the second set, seeing 15 tied scores. Wake Forest tied the set for the final time with a kill by Laiya Ebo at 22, but the Buccaneers ended the set on a 3-0 run, including a kill by Karis Chatfield, a block by Gianna Blair and Makayla Bays, and an ace by Chatfield to take the 25-22 second-set win. 

The Bucs used their momentum from the second set to take the third. The teams were tied at 6 with a kill by Blair as the Bucs began to pull away from their opponents. A 3-0 run by the Bucs was met with a 5-1 run by Wake Forest to tie the score again at 15. The teams traded shots, but the Bucs gained the lead with a kill by Chatfield and Alex Kreutzmann. A kill by Bays ended the set, giving the Bucs the 25-23 third-set win. 

A 4-0 run by Wake Forest allowed them to lead 12-8 to open the fourth frame. The Demon Deacons were able to extendtheir lead to 24-16. The Bucs would get as close as 24-18 with kills by Blair and Bays, but Wake Forest took the 25-18 fourth-set win. 

Wake Forest carried their momentum from the fourth set to the fifth, leading 11-3. The Buccaneers trimmed their deficit to 12-7, but Wake Forest ended the set on a 3-0 run for the 15-7 fifth-set win. 

MATCH POINTS

• Gianna Blair was named to the All-Tournament Team
• Karis Chatfield led the team with 14 kills and a .323 hitting percentage.
• Bailey Gohlke had 25 assists. 
• Alex Kreutzmann and Melanie Morris combined for 20 digs. 
• Gianna Blair had four total blocks.