Lady Vol Defense Shines in Four-Set Win Against Texas A&M

Sunday, November 10

Knoxville

1 pm

University of Tennessee

13-9,6-6SEC

Texas A&M

15-7,6-6SEC

Texas A&M

Tennessee

Lady Vol Defense Shines in Four-Set Win Against Texas A&M

November 10, 2024 | Volleyball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Lady Vols enjoyed a strong defensive effort to defeat Texas A&M in four sets (21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 27-25) on Sunday at Food City Center.

The Big Orange (13-9, 6-6 SEC) finished the match with 57 digs and 16 team blocks while holding the Aggies (15-7, 6-6 SEC) to .244 hitting. Texas A&M also had 27 attacking errors and 13 service errors to keep the momentum in UT's favor.

Redshirt junior middle blocker Klaudia Pawlik led the way defensively with a season-high eight blocks to go with two kills. Freshman right side Paityn Chapman and junior middle blocker Keyondreya Granberry both added seven blocks each in the contest. Chapman's blocks marked a career best while she also added 12 kills. Granberry finished with 10 kills on .526 hitting.

Sophomore defensive specialist Mackenzie Plante paced the back row defense, recording a career-high 18 digs and two assists. Junior outside hitter Hayden Kubik narrowly missed a double-double, tallying 10 digs, eight kills, one ace, one assist and one block in the all-around performance.

Sophomore libero Katie Barrier ended the match with nine digs. Redshirt sophomore setter Caroline Kerr also had nine digs to go along with 43 assists, three blocks, two kills and one ace. Graduate student outside hitter Nina Cajic led the charge offensively, netting 18 kills, four blocks, four digs, one ace and one assist on the day.

Tennessee finished with 52 kills on .282 hitting, 51 assists and three aces on offense. Texas A&M had 66 digs, 65 kills, 63 assists, five blocks and four aces.

Both teams started hot offensively, but Texas A&M outhit the Big Orange .467 to .333 to take the early lead in the match. Set two was a back-and-forth affair until Tennessee used a 6-0 run and won 10 of the final 16 points to take the frame. The Aggies had 17 kills in the set but struggled with eight attacking errors and six serving errors to aid in the Lady Vols keeping the lead.

The Big Orange gained an early advantage during the third frame and never looked back. The Lady Vols dominated offensively, finishing with 15 kills compared to the Aggies' nine. Tennessee's defense was on fire, recording 27 digs and six blocks while holding Texas A&M to -.021 hitting.

The Lady Vols continued their winning streak to take the fourth frame after a 15-11 deficit to start. Tennessee kept their momentum by adding six blocks and 16 kills at .333 hitting. Cajic led the offense with seven kills and two blocks in the period to secure the victory.

The Big Orange is back at home next Friday, as UT hosts Georgia for a 6:30 p.m. ET first serve. Tennessee bested the Bulldogs on the road earlier in the month.