It was a nail biter, but the Lady Vols start the season off right at 1-0 with a five set win over defending OVC Champion Morehead State (14-25, 25-23, 25-22, 17-25, 15-12). More soon.
UPDATE: Despite Morehead State leading the Lady Vols in kills, attacks, hitting percentage, aces, assists, digs, and points, Tennessee was able to do what it took to lead where it counts — the scoreboard. It was an especially impressive achievement because Tennessee only scored 63 statistical points and 96 actual points in the match. Both those totals are easily the lowest numbers of points scored by the team in a five set win in the rally-scoring era. In fact the 63 statistical points is the lowest amount scored by UT in any five set match, win or lose, since 2001.
Freshmen Jamie Lea and Ashley Mariani had 10 kills a piece. Shealyn Kolosky had 7, Raina Hembrey and Whitney Heeres had 5 each, and Carly Wishlow had 4.
Lexi Dempsey led the team with 25 assists, while Abby Brewer added in 10 more. Ellen Mullins was just 3 short of her career high with 31 digs. Nikki Brice broke her personal record with 17. Megan Hatcher and Dempsey contributed 9 digs each.
The squad had a spectacular morning at the net with 17 total blocks, the 17th most by the team since 2001. Kolosky put back 9 block assists, Hembrey had 8, and Lea 5.
UT opens season with a win
