East Tennessee State University

RICHMOND, Va. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Virginia Commonwealth on Friday at the Siegel Center.

East Tennessee State (0-4) dominated the first set, 25-14. Makayla Bays had six kills in the first set alone, with the team having four blocks. A kill by Gianna Blair gave the Buccaneers a 6-5 lead, and the team did not trail for the remainder of the set. The set ended with consecutive VCU (1-2) attack errors, with the Bucs taking the 1-0 lead. 

The Bucs and the Rams went back-and-forth in the second set, seeing 13 tied scores. The set's last tie came from a kill by Dunja Martic at 28. Another kill by Martic and a Buccaneer error gave the Rams the 30-28 second-set win. 

ETSU took control of the third set early on as an 8-0 run allowed them to lead 11-4.  Consecutive points by the Rams would get them as close as 24-16, but a kill by Chloe Smith ended the set with the Bucs taking the 25-16 win. 

The Rams battled back in the fourth set, taking a commanding 22-11 lead. Despite a block by Gianna Blair and Makayla Bays followed by kills from Blair and Smith, the home team took the fourth set 25-16. 

The two teams traded shots in the match's final set, seeing 10 ties and four lead changes. A kill from Karis Chatfield tied the set for the last time at 13, but a Buccaneer service error and a kill from VCU's Cominika Kasinka gave the Rams the 3-2 match victory. 

The VCU Invitational continues tomorrow as the Buccaneers face William & Mary at 2 p.m. at the Siegel Center. 

For news and updates ahead of the Buccaneers' 2026 season, follow the volleyball team on X and Instagram (@etsuvolleyball) or check back in on etsubucs.com.

Match points

• Makayla Bays and Karis Chatfield combined for 35 kills, with Chatfield leading the team hitting .359. 
• Alex Kreutzmann led with 29 assists.
• Bays and Kreutzmann had three aces each. 
• The team's 65 kills were a season high, as were their 60 assists and 66 digs.