ETSU's dynamic fourth set forced a fifth, loses first five-set match this season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Nov. 9, 2021) – A fiery fourth set propelled the Bucs to their second five-set match this season, but the momentum came to a halt as the Mocs held off ETSU (25-22, 24-26, 18-25, 25-19, 12-15). The Bucs tallied 67 kills tonight, the most in a match this season. Josannah Vazquez (Mansfield, Texas) tallied a match-high 19 while Jenna Forster (Maryville, Tenn.) put up 17.

MATCHUP:  ETSU (11-15, 7-8 SoCon) vs. Chattanooga (10-18, 6-9 SoCon)

Set 1 (ETSU, 25-22): The set stayed close through the early going, with neither team taking any lead greater than two until a Samantha Shafer (Franklin, Tenn.) kill made it 10-7 ETSU. The Mocs were able to steal a few points back to tie the set at 11, but that was the last chance Chattanooga had to take the set. Kills from Sara Esposito (Pianiga, Venezia, Italy) and Forster continued to put distance between ETSU and the Mocs. Chattanooga was able to scratch away three points while ETSU held set point, but a block from Esposito and Abbey Thomas (Goldsboro, N.C.) sealed the first set. Vazquez led the team with five kills in the set, while Caroline Dykes (Flower Mound, Texas) put up nine of ETSU’s 16 assists. The Bucs put up 16 kills on .256 hitting, holding the Mocs to .195 on 14 kills. Each squad mustered up a block, but ETSU’s came at the most crucial point.

Set 2 (UTC, 26-24): The Mocs took hold of the early portion of the set, getting an ace and two blocks to maintain the lead. ETSU would return the favor with a solo block from Vazquez and an ace from Haley Sanders (Brentwood, Tenn.) to tie the set. Kills from Vazquez and Asia Mattress (Mauldin, S.C.) put the Bucs in the driver seat, but Chattanooga responded quickly with a slew of kills themselves. ETSU would win the race with 20 with a kill from Vazquez, but a service error and kill from Chattanooga tied the set at 21. The Bucs would take the first point following the timeout, but Chattanooga stole the next three to set up set point. A couple of kills from Shafer and Esposito tied the set at 24, but a pair of kills from the Mocs tied the match at one. Vazquez put up another five kills, increasing her match total to 10. ETSU put up more kills than Chattanooga this set (14 compared to 13), but seven attack errors to two from UTC proved the difference. The Mocs put up four blocks this set.

Set 3 (UTC, 25-18): A few kills and some ETSU attack errors gave the Mocs the lead right out the gate, going up 6-0 before a kill from Dykes stopped the bleeding. The Bucs would gradually cut at Chattanooga’s lead, getting some offense from Forster and an ace from McKenna Dietz (Gray, Tenn.) to make it a two-point lead for UTC at 12-10. Chattanooga was able to force some ETSU errors and took grasp of the third set handedly. Both teams recorded just 11 kills, but 10 attack errors from ETSU allowed Chattanooga to take a lot of momentum into a pivotal fourth set.

Set 4 (ETSU, 25-19): With Chattanooga looking to put away the Bucs, Forster was not going to let that happen. The sophomore-lefty got going early with a kill to tie the set at two, but the majority of her production came late and timely. After UTC tied the set at 12, Forster grabbed her third kill of the set and added an ace to completely swing momentum in favor of the Bucs. Shafer and Vazquez would combine for a few more kills and really put space between the Mocs and the Bucs. Forster finished what she started with two kills and a block. She ended the set with six kills on nine attempts. Vazquez and Shafer each added four. ETSU put up 18 kills on .361 hitting to enter their second fifth-set match of the season. Chattanooga did not record an ace or a block this set.

Set 5 (UTC, 15-12): Momentum was in favor of the Bucs after the way the fourth set ended, but Chattanooga used an ace and block to take hold of the early part of the set. Forster, Vazquez and Shafer would add some more offense, while perfectly-placed ace from Taylor Roberts (Sneads, Fla.) in the Bermuda triangle of Chattanooga’s defense kept it close. The Bucs held off two match points from Chattanooga, but their offense got through and ended any comeback from ETSU. Forster put up five of ETSU’s eight kills this set, while Dykes and Roberts each added three digs in the final set.

Outside the Box Score:

• 11 of Forster’s 17 kills tonight came in the fourth and fifth sets. Her 17 kills tonight also marks a season-high for the local product.
• With 45 assists and 17 digs, Dykes records her 17^th double-double of the season, continuing to produce in her first year. Her 17 double-doubles this season are most by a true freshman in the last decade.
• With 19 kills and 17 digs. Vazquez records her eighth double-double of the season. The USC Beach Volleyball transfer leads the team with 311 kills.
• With 20 digs, Roberts continues her streak of matches with 15+ digs to her last seven. The Florida State transfer has 399 digs this season, a career-high.
• Three Bucs put up 15+ digs (Roberts – 20, Dykes – 17, Vazquez – 17).
• For this first time since 2016, Chattanooga has defeated ETSU. The Bucs won the previous ten matches before tonight.
• ETSU is 1-1 in five-set matches this season, with both coming in the last four matches. Previously, the Bucs went 26 consecutive matches without a five-set contest.
• This is ETSU’s first five-set road loss since Sept. 14, 2019 at UAB and the first such in conference play since Oct. 22, 2017 against Western Carolina.

Up Next:

The Bucs end the regular season at Brooks Gym against Wofford for Senior Night. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. The match will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women’s volleyball page.