UE drops 3-1 match at Tennessee Tech
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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Facing host Tennessee Tech in the final match of the Golden Eagle Invitational, the University of Evansville volleyball team dropped a 3-1 contest.
Giulia Cardona was strong in all facets on Saturday, recording 18 kills, 8 digs, 2 service aces and 2 blocks. Melanie Feliciano added 10 kills. Kora Ruff registered 39 assists and 9 digs, both team highs. Ruff added four blocks, tying Madisyn Steele for the top mark.
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Set 1 – UE 25, TTU 22
Game one was an all-out battle. Kate Tsironis and Kora Ruff combined on a block to put the Purple Aces up 8-6 before a 4-0 run by the Golden Eagles saw them take an 11-9 edge. Neither team would lead by more than two points until the final tallies.
Knotted at 21-21, an ace by Giulia Cardona and block from Ruff and Madisyn Steele saw UE reel off three in a row to make it set point. Following a TTU point, Cardona knocked down kill #7 of the game to give UE a 1-0 lead on the strength of a 25-22 decision.
Set 2 – TTU 25, UE 20
Another back-and-forth contest ensued in the second frame. Both teams enjoyed slight leads but could not extend the lead past two points. That changed midway through the game. After a kill from Cardona tied things up at 12-12, the Golden Eagles slowly pulled away.
After going up 18-15, Tennessee Tech added to its advantage to finish with a 25-20 win to knot the match at 1-1.
Set 3 – TTU 25, UE 13
Evansville picked up the first two points of the day, but Tennessee Tech stormed back with five in a row. The TTU run continued as a 12-3 run saw them go up 12-5. From there, the Golden Eagles pulled away for the 25-13 win.
Set 4 – TTU 25, UE 15
In the fourth set, the Golden Eagles charged out to an 11-4 lead out of the gate. After leading by as many as 11 points, they clinched the match, winning by a 25-15 final.
UE returns home on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. match versus Tennessee State
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