NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Priscilla Jones recorded a career-high nine total blocks and a team-high 13.5 points, but SIUE was unable to sustain its momentum in the final set, falling 3-2 at Tennessee State Friday evening. The Tigers went on to take the five-set match with set scores of 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20 and 7-15.

SIUE (10-11, 5-5 OVC) hit over .200 (.230) for the first time since Oct. 1 vs. Morehead State and recorded a season-best 19 blocks in the loss. Tennessee State (10-14, 4-7 OVC) hit .242 in the match with seven service aces.

Two players recorded double-doubles for SIUE, including Sydney Hummert who notched her eighth of the season. She finished with a team-best 14 kills and 10 digs on defense. Caroline Waite dished out 15 assists and added 10 digs for her ninth double-double this year. Alyse Drifka also finished the match with 26 assists.

The Cougars would hit .186 in the opening frame, while the Tigers would take advantage of eight attack errors to edge SIUE, 20-25. Tennessee State finished the first with six blocks and a .375 hitting percentage. Despite SIUE improving on the attack to hit .226 in the second, Tennessee State kept its foot on the gas with a .279 clip, taking a 2-0 advantage.

SIUE battled back in the third, holding the Tigers to a .059 attack percentage while hitting .156. After a combined three total blocks over the first two sets, the Cougars put up six blocks at the net to take the third set, 25-22. The block party would continue for the Cougars as they tallied an additional six team blocks in the fourth. SIUE hit a match-best .371 in the fourth while Tennessee State hit .179 to tie the match at two apiece.

The offense cooled off as SIUE hit just .182 in the final frame. Tennessee State caught fire on a .438 clip in the fifth set to take the match, 3-2.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11:00 a.m. Live Stat s will be provided.