Tennessee Falls to Alabama in Four Sets

Wednesday, November 23

Tuscaloosa, AL

8 PM

University of Tennessee

16-13,10-7SEC

Alabama

10-19,4-13SEC

Tennessee

Alabama

November 24, 2022 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Playing the night before Thanksgiving, the Tennessee volleyball team fell to Alabama in four sets (25-22, 21-25, 27-29, 23-25) Wednesday at Foster Auditorium.

Tennessee (16-13, 10-7 SEC) was slowed down offensively by Alabama as it hit just .189 for the match, scoring 46 kills.

Senior Morgahn Fingall led all players with 19 kills and added 10 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.

Toney, Alabama, native Jasmine Brooks tallied nine kills for UT, while Danielle Mahaffey notched five with four block assists.

Sophomore libero Ashllyn King tied her career-high in digs at 22.

Alabama (10-19, 4-13 SEC) entered the contest as the SEC's top team in aces per set and used its service line pressure to keep Tennessee off balance – scoring 13 aces.

Abby Marjama led the Crimson Tide with six aces and 18 kills. Sydney Gholson tallied three aces, with Victoria Schmer scoring two and Emily Janek and Alyiah Well each adding one.

Sami Jacobs and Wells joined Marjama in double figures as they notched 14 kills apiece.

The first set belonged to the Lady Vols as they won, 25-22. Fingall (4) and Brooks (3) combined for seven of UT's 10 kills in the frame. Tennessee jumped out to a 14-5 advantage in the first and looked to be in control but the Tide worked their way back and took a 21-20 lead.

A kill by Fingall and back-to-back kills from Brooks put UT back in front and it was able to close out the set and take the early lead in the match.

Alabama tied up the match in the second as it won, 25-21. The Crimson Tide were efficient offensively as they hit .294 with 13 kills. Fingall put away five for the Lady Vols, while Marjama scored four for the Crimson Tide.

The third set went long as both teams had opportunities to win, but was unable to do so. Alabama eventually won the frame, 29-27. Tennessee's block worked well as it posted five total, led by Keondreya Granberry and Natalie Hayward with three assisted. Mahaffey and Fingall each assisted on two blocks.

With Tennessee up 24-20, the Tide made a run to even the set at 24-24 before the teams traded points to reach 25-25. The Lady Vols then fought off set point twice but fell in the set.

The Crimson Tide turned up the service line pressure in the fourth set, notching five aces to help win, 25-23. Neither side had a high hitting percentage – Tennessee .105 and Alabama .098 – but the Tide out-killed the Lady Vols 13 to 10 as they again eliminated an early deficit to take the set and the match.

UP NEXT
Tennessee will return to the court Friday at 6 p.m. ET as they meet Alabama for match No. 2 of the series and the final regular season match of the season.