Heartbreaking Loss: Tennessee State University’s Volleyball Team Edged Out by Leathernecks

MACOMB, Ill. – The Tennessee State volleyball team faced a tough challenge on the road, losing to Western Illinois in straight sets (16-25, 18-25, 18-25) this Saturday at Western Hall.

Despite the loss, the Tigers (1-24, 0-12 OVC) showcased moments of strong play, particularly in the second and third sets. The team benefited from precise setting by Sagaia Reilly and solid defense from Erini Bitsaktsi, finishing with 33 assists and 51 digs, along with a .282 team reception percentage.

Maygan Miller-Garcia led the offensive charge with an impressive .417 hitting percentage, scoring 12 kills. Freshman I’Onna Jones contributed eight kills, and Aliyah Harris added seven. Reilly not only delivered 25 assists but also chipped in with seven digs and one block. Additionally, Gabriella Blevins and Kennedy Draggs combined for five crucial blocks.

After starting slow, TSU gathered momentum towards the end of the second set, finishing strong with a 4-1 run fueled by kills from Harris and Miller-Garcia. This energy carried into the third set, where the Tigers demonstrated a balanced offense with a hitting percentage of .162 and a 60 percent side-out rate.

On the defensive end, Bitsaktsi stood out with 18 digs. Key contributions also came from Brie Blevins, Miller-Garcia, and Melae Lacy, who made several vital stops.

By the Numbers:

• Maygan Miller-Garcia: 12 kills (.417), 1 block, 1 dig
• I’Onna Jones: 8 kills, 4 digs
• Aliyah Harris: 7 kills, 6 digs
• Sagaia Reilly: 25 assists, 7 digs, 1 block
• Erini Bitsaktsi: 18 digs, 4 assists
• Team Totals: 33 assists, 51 digs, 5 blocks

Looking ahead, Tennessee State will return home next weekend for two OVC matches against Southeast Missouri. The matches are set for Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m. in Kean Hall.

The team’s journey this season has been challenging, yet they continue to display resilience. According to a recent study from the NCAA, maintaining strong communication and team cohesion is crucial for performance, especially in tough matches. As they push through the remainder of the season, these qualities will become increasingly important for the Tigers.

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