EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE volleyball captured its second straight three-set victory in Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-20 win over Tennessee State at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars improved to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in the OVC while Tennessee State dropped to 7-8 overall and 0-2 in the OVC.

SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson said persistence was the key for the Cougars.

"Ultimately, it was going to boil down to who was going to win a couple more long rallies than the other," she said. "Fortunately, that was us. We really stayed persistent and expected to have to dig two and three times to take two and three swings to get a point. They are so hard to score against."

SIUE's offense collected 44 kills in the match, including 11 from middle blocker Taylor Joens. Taylor Held and Ashley Witt added nine each.

Joens, who has been named an All-Tournament team member twice this season, continued to shine. She finished the day with a .526 hitting percentage and is among the OVC leaders with a .342 hitting percentage this season.

"Her transition game was strong," said Johnson. "She works very hard to block and get off the net to make herself available for our setters."

SIUE had to come back from small Tennessee State leads powered by a team-leading nine kills from Julia Pierson, but the Cougars stayed true to their game plan.

"It didn't all have to be at once (to come from behind)," said Johnson. "We had to stay steady and maintain our efficiency."

Katie Shashack also was steady on defense. The junior libero recorded 20 digs and continues to lead the OVC in digs per set.

"She was fabulous," said Johnson. "She picked up off-speed stuff in the middle of the court and still handled the hard-swung balls as well."

SIUE now takes to the road for its first OVC matches away from the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars face UT Martin next Friday and Southeast Missouri next Saturday.