Volleyball Plays (RV) CIU Tough

Athens, Tenn.- After three tough sets, the volleyball team fell to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Columbia International University Friday at home.

In the first set, the Lady Rams took a commanding 3-0 lead, but two kills from Amya Sutton kept TWU close behind. The Lady Bulldogs continued to fight as two kills from Megan Tracy and a block and kill from Megan Lee cut CIU's lead down to 12-10. Kills from Sutton and Lee and back-to-back blocks from Olivia Miller kept them in the game, but they were unable to prevail and lost set one 25-15.

The second set began with a Lee block and kills from Shante Smith and Sutton resulting in an early 4-1 lead. However, the opponent came back moments later to tie the set 4-4. As the set progressed, two Sutton kills made the score 8-7 to keep the Lady Bulldogs within reaching distance of the Rams. A block from Smith and kills from Sutton and Tracy gave TWU their final points in set two, but it would not be enough to take the lead resulting in a 25-16 loss.

The final set of the night began with a 2-1 lead for Tennessee Wesleyan after a Smith kill. From then on, the teams stayed tied or within one point of each other until CIU pulled ahead 12-9. Even so, the Bulldogs were unshaken and with a Tracy kill, Miller block, and a setting error from the Rams, the set was tied back up 12-12. Although the Rams pulled ahead 21-16 moments later, TWU proved they would not go down without a fight as kills from Olivia Bolin, Miller, Tracy, and Sutton cut the Ram's lead to 22-21. However, the score did not fall in favor of the home team, and the opponent took the 25-22 set win and a 3-0 victory in the match.

Sutton led the team with 16 kills in the match and Bailey Dalton aided the offense with 15 assists. Megan Thompson held down the defense with 15 digs and Bolin was close behind with 13 digs.

Tennessee Wesleyan returns to their home court Saturday at 11:00 a.m. for Senior Day and another conference match against Columbia College.