University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
5-1,0-0SEC
Morehead State
3-4,0-0OVC
No. 23 Lady Vols Sweep Morehead State, 3-0
September 10, 2021 | Volleyball
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The 23rd-ranked Tennessee volleyball team went on the road for the first time in the 2021 season, defeating Morehead State in straight sets (27-25, 25-15, 25-13) Friday at Johnson Arena.
Tennessee (5-1) was led on the offensive end by Morgahn Fingall, as the junior tallied a team-high 10 kills. The lefty hit .333 against the Eagles, recorded nine digs and picked up five blocks in the win.
Senior middle blocker Ava Bell hit a team-best .583 as she notched eight kills in the match. Bell also led UT with six blocks.
As a team, Tennessee put away 34 kills on a .221 hitting percentage.
Morehead State (3-4) struggled against UT's size, with the Lady Vols totaling 12 blocks in the match. MSU hit .009, the lowest hitting percentage against Tennessee since 2018, when UT held Belmont and Winthrop to a .000 hitting percentage on August 25 and 31, respectively.
It is the second time this season UT has held an opponent under a .100 hitting percentage.
The opening set featured rallies from both teams as Morehead State rallied from down 19-12 to take a 22-20 lead. It was then UT's turn to rally from behind as it stemmed the tide and fought back for the first set victory, 27-25.
In the second, Tennessee pulled away from Morehead State, winning 25-15. Fingall led the charge in the set with four kills and one of her two service aces. Breana Runnels, Bell and Danielle Mahaffey each tallied three kills as UT hit .419.
UT finished off the Eagles in the third, winning the set 25-13. Fingall again led the way with four kills, a service ace and a block.
STAT LEADERS
Kills – Morgahn Fingall (10)
Assists – Natalie Hayward (24)
Digs – Madison Bryant (12)
Blocks – Ava Bell (6)
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns home on Sunday as it plays host to Morehead State, completing the home-and-home series. First serve Sunday is set for 4 p.m. ET. Fans attending the match can get in free by showing their Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh football ticket.
