EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE volleyball found themselves back in the win column Friday night, sweeping Tennessee State in straight sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-12) at First Community Arena to earn its second Ohio Valley Conference victory of the season.
The Cougars battled with the Tigers early in the opening set before closing with a 10-2 run to secure a 25-16 win. The second set proved to be more competitive, with the teams tied at 16-16 before Tennessee State built a three-point lead at 22-19. SIUE was later able to respond with six consecutive points to close out the set 25-22 and take a two-set advantage.
SIUE carried that momentum into the third set, limiting Tennessee State to just three kills while recording 13 of their own. The Cougars pulled away to claim a 25-12 victory and complete the sweep.
Kennedy Pike led SIUE offensively with 12 kills on 19 attempts without an error, finishing with a .632 hitting percentage. Vienna Elliott added seven kills while hitting .500 and contributed two blocks.
Junior Jehireh Williams turned in one of her strongest performances as a Cougar, matching a season high with seven kills on a .417 hitting percentage and adding three blocks.
SIUE will look to carry the momentum into the second match of the series when the Cougars host Tennessee State Saturday at 3 p.m. at First Community Arena.
