University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols take on Italian National “B” Team
May 16, 2019 | Volleyball
In the first match of the Tennessee European Tour, the team played the reigning European U19 Champions
MILAN, Italy – After sightseeing during the first day of the 12-day European Tour, the University of Tennessee volleyball team played its first match of the tour.
In the first of six matches, the Lady Vols took on the Italian National "B" Team at the Italian Volleyball Federation training center in Milan. The Italian team was comprised of players from its U19 team who are the defending European Champions after winning the U19 Volleyball European Championship in September.
After dropping the opening set, 25-16, the Lady Vols narrowly dropped the next three sets in the five-set exhibition match. In the second set, Tennessee opened up an 8-2 advantage, forcing Italy to call their only timeout of the set.
The Lady Vols continued to apply pressure on the defending European Champions as they led for most of the second set before Italy took the final few points to win 25-23. In the next two sets, Tennessee narrowly fell 25-20 and 25-20.
Senior Tessa Grubbs led the way with team-high 17 kills to go along with four digs and two service aces. The 2018 AVCA All-American had at least three or more kills in each set, proving offense from both the left pin and as a back row attacker.
Sophomore Lily Felts added seven kills and six digs while also having a solo block and a block assist in the match. Fellow sophomore Ava Bell made her preseason debut for Tennessee, recording a kill on her first swing as a Lady Vol. The transfer finished with five kills in the match.
Freshmen Madison Bryant, Morgahn Fingall, Kailey Keeble and Madisen Werdell also all made their preseason debuts in Orange & White as Fingall had four kills and two block assists while Werdell added three digs and three aces for Tennessee.
The Lady Vols are back in action tomorrow when they take on the Italian National "B" Team for a second match. In this match, the Italian team will be comprised of the U23 team.
In the first of six matches, the Lady Vols took on the Italian National "B" Team at the Italian Volleyball Federation training center in Milan. The Italian team was comprised of players from its U19 team who are the defending European Champions after winning the U19 Volleyball European Championship in September.
After dropping the opening set, 25-16, the Lady Vols narrowly dropped the next three sets in the five-set exhibition match. In the second set, Tennessee opened up an 8-2 advantage, forcing Italy to call their only timeout of the set.
The Lady Vols continued to apply pressure on the defending European Champions as they led for most of the second set before Italy took the final few points to win 25-23. In the next two sets, Tennessee narrowly fell 25-20 and 25-20.
Senior Tessa Grubbs led the way with team-high 17 kills to go along with four digs and two service aces. The 2018 AVCA All-American had at least three or more kills in each set, proving offense from both the left pin and as a back row attacker.
Sophomore Lily Felts added seven kills and six digs while also having a solo block and a block assist in the match. Fellow sophomore Ava Bell made her preseason debut for Tennessee, recording a kill on her first swing as a Lady Vol. The transfer finished with five kills in the match.
Freshmen Madison Bryant, Morgahn Fingall, Kailey Keeble and Madisen Werdell also all made their preseason debuts in Orange & White as Fingall had four kills and two block assists while Werdell added three digs and three aces for Tennessee.
The Lady Vols are back in action tomorrow when they take on the Italian National "B" Team for a second match. In this match, the Italian team will be comprised of the U23 team.
Players Mentioned
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