University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
3-0
Middle Tennessee State
1-2
Vols Take Title at DISH Tennessee Classic
August 27, 2016 | Volleyball
Final Stats |
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Volunteers recorded a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-12) sweep of Middle Tennessee on Saturday night to win the DISH Tennessee Classic at Thompson Boling-Arena.
Tennessee (3-0) dropped just one set over the three matches of opening weekend play as seven Vols made their career debuts in the Orange and White.
"We did a fantastic job, especially when matches were tight, to finish sets off strong," Tennessee head coach Rob Patrick said. "To have a young team be able to do that really bodes well for the future of this season."
Sophomore middle hitter Erica Treiber was named tournament MVP after averaging 2.38 kills per set (.474 hitting percentage) and 1.38 blocks per set. Freshman outside hitter Tessa Grubbs (3.29 kills/set, 1.29 blocks/set, four aces) and senior libero Bridgette Villano (3.29 digs/set, five aces) were named to the all-tournament team.
In the tournament finale against Middle Tennessee, Grubbs and senior Bri Holmes led with nine kills each. Freshman setter Sedona Hansen recorded her first career double-double with a team-leading 28 assists and 14 digs.
MTSU held an early 11-9 lead over the Vols in the first set, but UT bounced back by winning 16 of the next 23 points to win 25-17. The Volunteers' offense was fueled by a combined nine kills between Grubbs (5) and Holmes (4). Grubbs also had a pair of aces.
The Blue Raiders took another early lead in the second set, going up 6-2. Tennessee went on a streak of its own, taking 11 of the next 14 points. Again, Grubbs and Holmes helped lead the offensive attack for the Vols, as both had three kills in the set. UT's defense accounted for four blocks in the set, as the Volunteers won the set, 25-18.
The third set was all Tennessee, who ran out to an early 10-2 lead. Freshman Alyssa Andreno had four kills during the stretch. Trieber also accounted for four kills in the set. Junior Kelsey Bawcombe had a pair of aces as the Vols won the set, 25-12, to improve to 3-0 on the season.
NOTES
- Junior Kelsey Bawcombe matched her career high with five aces during the Saturday afternoon match against Louisiana Monroe, recording three consecutive aces in the first set. Through the three weekend matches, Tennessee had 26 aces as a team.
- After five Vols played their first matches in orange and white on Friday, two more Vols made their career debuts Saturday: freshman defensive specialist Asha Phillips and redshirt freshman Breana Jeter played against Louisiana Monroe.
- Senior Nora Reed and junior Kendra Turner made their season debuts against Louisiana Monroe, both getting the starting nod for the Vols. Reed had an assist and a block. Turner had six kills, hitting .462 with two blocks.
UP NEXT
- Tennessee travels to a pair of Ohio schools next week. First, the Vols play Eastern Michigan and Cleveland State in Cleveland on Sept. 2. On Sept. 3, the Vols play a road match at Kent State.
