The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference

Vols sweep Tide 3-0

2411 days ago
Tennessee Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Tennessee volleyball team won its first road SEC match of the season, defeating Alabama 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-23) on Friday at Foster Auditorium.

Senior Raina Hembry led the Vols (14-8, 4-5 SEC) with 12 kills, adding three digs and four blocks. Freshman setter Sedona Hansen had a double-double with 33 assists and 14 digs.

Tennessee controlled the net with a season-high 13.5 team blocks, compared to 3 for Alabama (15-8, 4-6). Freshman Alyssa Andreno tied her career best with eight blocks to lead the team.

"I was very proud of the way we came out and competed, and the energy the team brought to the court," Tennessee head coach Rob Patrick said. "I was also very proud with how we played an attacked Alabama at the service line and at the net with our blocking with 13-and-a-half blocks. That made the difference in the match."

The Vols finish the weekend with a home match Sunday against Auburn at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at Thompson-Boling Arena at 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee took advantage of Alabama mistakes early. In the first 15 points of the match, Alabama committed seven hitting errors as the Vols pushed ahead 10-5. The Vols pushed ahead the rest of the way, winning six of seven points at one clip to go ahead 19-10 on an ace by Kanisha Jimenez.

The Vols eventually took the opening set 25-15.

The second set played much closer. The Vols broke a 19-19 tie by winning five of six points to go up 24-20. Alabama fought off two set points, but the Vols won the set 25-22 on a down-the-line shot by Kendra Turner that was initially called out but overruled in a replay challenge.

The third set also came down to the wire. With Alabama leading 23-21, the Vols reeled off the next four points for the victory. All four points ended with an Alabama error, including one on a block by Erica Treiber and Turner.